Obstructive Sleep Apnea: What You Should Know

Obstructive Sleep Apnea, often known as OSA, is a condition that affects a patient’s breathing while they’re asleep. As the most common sleep-related breathing disorder, a patient will briefly stop breathing throughout the night as they sleep. 

These short periods of breathing constriction are called apnea and happen when the muscles in the throat, like the tongue, become too relaxed. That narrows the airway and restricts the patient’s breath.

Here’s an overview of you everything you should know about obstructive sleep apnea. 

The Symptoms of OSA

Obstructive sleep apnea has a range of symptoms. These include breathing cessation as you sleep, snoring loudly, choking, or even gasping for breath. Some patients might even wake up repeatedly throughout the night.

But OSA can even cause issues during your waking hours. For example, if you suffer from OSA, you may experience morning headaches, feel drowsy or grumpy, or forget things. 

What Causes OSA?

One of the most common causes of obstructive sleep apnea is obesity. Overweight patients are more apt to develop OSA, especially if their neck is larger in circumference. 

Other causes can be anatomical, like having a narrow throat or a round head. The structure of a patient’s nose can also influence this disorder, along with medical problems where the upper airways are congested. 

Allergy sufferers can also develop OSA, and alcohol, drug abuse, and smoking can increase the chances of developing obstructive sleep apnea. In addition, it can be a genetic condition if the patient’s family has a history of OSA. 

What Are the Health Risks of OSA?

Obstructive sleep apnea can lead to other serious health conditions. OSA has been linked to heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes. Another common link is high blood pressure, which can cause heart-related problems. 

Because of disruptive sleep patterns, OSA patients can feel tired during the day. That can become a catalyst for depression or affect external circumstances like falling asleep when driving, which causes accidents. 

Speak to Kozlow and Rowell

Many patients have undiagnosed OSA, but if you have some of these symptoms, then speak to your doctor to determine if you have obstructive sleep apnea. 

You can then book an appointment with us, and we can discuss a comfortable and effective solution like a clinically tested oral snoring appliance to treat mild and moderate obstructive sleep apnea.