Obstructive sleep apnea

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition which causes your breathing to stop and restart frequently while you’re asleep
• Most OSA symptoms occur while you’re asleep, although the interruptions to your sleep can also lead to daytime symptoms such as sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and changes in mood
• Obstructive sleep apnea treatments exist and can include lifestyle changes, the use of medical devices, and surgery 

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition that affects almost half of the population worldwide. It is often linked to other medical conditions, such as obesity. OSA can lead to the development of serious conditions, which is why it’s important to recognize the symptoms early on. In this article, we’ll give you an overview of OSA causes, symptoms, and treatments.  

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea are two possible types of sleep apnea. With sleep apnea, your breathing frequently stops and restarts throughout your sleep. The difference between both forms of sleep apnea is the reason why this happens. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when something blocks your upper airway. This condition can have an effect on your quality of life, and can also lead to more serious conditions, which is why you should always see a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. 1

Obstructive sleep apnea can be categorized depending on how severe the condition is. This is based on the amount of times your breathing stops each hour: 2

• Mild obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your breathing stops 5 to 15 times per hour
• Moderate obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your breathing stops between 15 and 30 times per hour
• Severe obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your breathing stops more than 30 times per hour.

Obstructive sleep apnea symptoms primarily occur during the night, which can make them harder for you to notice on your own. In many cases, a bed partner or family member may be the first to spot these signs and point them out to you. You may: 3

• Stop and start breathing
• Make gasping, snorting, or choking noises
• Wake up frequently
• Snore loudly

As the symptoms of OSA have an effect on your quality of sleep, you may experience these symptoms throughout the day: 

• Daytime sleepiness, including a tendency to nod off or fall asleep while doing other activities
• Difficulty concentrating
• Changes in mood
• Headaches

Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by something blocking your upper airway. Some known causes of obstructive sleep apnea are: 2 3

• Obesity
• Enlarged tonsils
• Changes to your hormone levels
• Anatomical deviations of your mouth, throat, or jaw
• Pregnancy
• Lying flat on your back when you sleep
• Certain medical conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, myasthenia gravis, Down syndrome, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation (AFib), prader Willi syndrome, and obesity hypoventilation syndrome can contribute to the development of obstructive sleep apnea 
• Smoking and the use of alcohol

Besides these obstructive sleep apnea causes, the condition is also more common in men of an advanced age.

An OSA diagnosis can be made by your healthcare provider. You will be asked questions about your symptoms and your medical history, after which you may need further testing at a specialist sleep clinic. Here, healthcare providers can check for signs of obstructive sleep apnea while you sleep and determine how severe your condition is. 2 3

Obstructive sleep apnea treatment often depends on what is causing your condition. In most cases, lifestyle changes and treatment of underlying medical conditions can already have a big impact on the condition. Obesity is especially an important factor to tackle by exercising regularly and following a healthy diet. Some medical devices can also help alleviate your OSA symptoms: 2 3 1

• A positioning device can help you sleep in a different position
• A continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) device can improve your breathing throughout the night
• A mandibular advancement device can help bring your lower jaw more to the front, which helps avoid obstruction of the upper airway

In some cases, obstructive sleep apnea surgery can also be recommended. There are some options: 2 3 1

• A surgery removing your uvula (the fleshy extension at the back of your mouth which hangs above the throat) or some of the tissue of the soft palate to create more space in the mouth and throat region
• Some patients may require surgery of the jaw to create more space in this region
• A new type of surgery is the implantation of a nerve stimulator which stimulates certain muscles that help broaden the airways during the pauses in your breathing

Obstructive sleep apnea can lead to the development of other conditions, which is why treatment is necessary. Some possible complications of OSA are: 

• High blood pressure 
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Depression
• Exhaustion 

• OSA

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common condition that causes you to stop and restart breathing throughout your sleep. This can cause symptoms such as loud snoring, gasping for air and waking up frequently. This condition can have an effect on your quality of life and can cause various complications, which is why getting diagnosed and treated for OSA is important.

Q: What is the life expectancy of someone with sleep apnea?
A: Untreated obstructive sleep apnea can shorten your life by several years, as it can lead to the development of serious conditions. 

Q: Can obstructive sleep apnea kill you?
A: Obstructive sleep apnea itself can’t kill you, but if left untreated, it can cause other conditions which may be life-threatening, such as heart attack and stroke

Q: Can obstructive sleep apnea be cured?
A: This depends on the cause of your obstructive sleep apnea. For some, the condition can be cured by making lifestyle changes or undergoing surgery. For others, treatment aims at reducing the number of times your breathing stops throughout the night and at preventing severe complications from developing. 

Q: What is the life expectancy of someone with severe sleep apnea?
A: People with untreated severe sleep apnea have a life expectancy that is significantly lower than people without sleep apnea. 

Q: What are common OSA risk factors? 
A: Some OSA risk factors include obesity, enlarged tonsils, advanced age, pregnancy, anatomical deviations of the throat, mouth, and jaw, and certain medical conditions.