Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) refers to short periods of non-breathing that occurs during sleep, as a result of a collapse or obstruction of the airway. It is almost always accompanied by snoring.

Sleep apnea is significant because if left untreated, can lead to significant cardiovascular complications, cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death.

Classic symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• excessive daytime sleepiness
• disrupted sleep with frequent awakenings feeling short of breath or feelings of being smothered
• periods of non-breathing followed by short gasps or snorts
• morning headaches
• inability to concentrate during the day

What are the risk factors for OSA?

• obesity is the greatest risk factor
• nasal obstruction (polyps, deviated septum etc)
• craniofacial and soft tissue upper airway abnormalities 

Men are more likely to have OSA and the incidence increases with age.

How is OSA diagnosed?

Your provider will order a sleep study which measures the number of times your sleep is disrupted by excessive movements and snoring.  It is generally agreed that periods of non-breathing lasting at least 10 seconds that occur 10-15 times an hour is diagnostic.

The sleep study also measures oxygen saturation levels, REM sleep, sleep staging and cardiac rate and rhythm.

Treatment

Treatment is generally aimed at reducing the modifiable risk factors which include weight reduction, alcohol avoidance, and smoking cessation. For those individuals with moderate to severe sleep apnea, they may benefit from positive pressure airway devices, surgery, or oral devices.

If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, talk to your provider. UpToDate has a great patient handout about sleep apnea as well.