What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a debilitating sleep and breathing disorder defined as the cessation of breathing for 10 seconds or more (an apnea) at least five times per hour of sleep. During sleep, the body’s muscles relax, which can cause excess tissue to collapse into the upper airway (back of the mouth, nose and throat) and block breathing. When breathing is interrupted by an obstruction in the airway, the body reacts by waking enough to start breathing again. These arousals may occur hundreds of times each night but do not fully awaken the patient, who remains unaware of the loud snoring, choking and gasping for air that are typically associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea sufferers never get “a good night’s sleep” because repeated apneas and arousals deprive patients of REM and deep-stage sleep, leading to chronic daytime exhaustion and long-term cardiovascular stress.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a serious condition in which the sufferer stops breathing during sleep due to a completely blocked airway, sometimes for up to a minute at a time. OSA is an extremely serious condition that can result in extremely fragmented and of poor quality sleep, and should be treated by a qualified physician.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a serious condition in which a person stops breathing periodically throughout the night. The loss of airflow is caused by the airway closing off; the chest and abdomen go up and down, but no air is moving. When a person who has OSA falls asleep, the soft tissues in of the upper airway, usually in the back of the throat, begin to lose tone and collapse, partially or completely blocking the flow of air. This partial or complete obstruction usually lasts for 10 to 30 seconds, at the end of which time the person will awaken for a brief period, gasping, snoring, or snorting. This can happen dozens or hundreds of times during the night. These repeated interruptions during sleep typically leave the person tired and sleepy during the day. Return to the top of the page.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a life threatening and life altering condition that occurs when a person repeatedly stops breathing during sleep because his or her airway collapses and prevents air from getting into the lungs. Sleep is repeatedly disrupted by apneas, depriving OSA sufferers from the deepest, most restful stages of sleep. Apneas may occur more than 20 times every hour. A person with OSA never feels rested because they never have normal sleep. The lack of sleep affects daytime alertness and one’s ability to function well throughout the day. The low oxygen levels associated with OSA, and the effort required to breathe during the night, put a strain on the cardiovascular system. Ultimately, OSA takes its toll on the individual’s quality of life.
