Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that occurs when the muscles surrounding the airway become extremely relaxed, causing the airway to collapse and restrict the flow of air into your lungs. In OSA, you may stop breathing on and off for short periods of time, interrupting your sleep. If not treated, OSA can result in serious health problems, ranging from irritability, fatigue and memory issues to an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and diabetes mellitus over time. The lung and sleep specialists with Orlando Health Medical Group Lung and Sleep Medicine offer comprehensive diagnostic testing and treatment options to help resolve your sleep problems so you can get a good night’s sleep.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of OSA that you may experience during sleep include:
- Snoring – can come and go and be loud enough to disturb others
- Gasping or choking sounds
- Pause in breathing observed by others
- Sudden or jerky movements
- Restlessness
- Waking up frequently
You may also experience symptoms of OSA while awake, including:
- Not feeling rested after a night’s sleep
- Morning headaches
- Dry or sore throat
- Fatigue
- Personality changes, such as mood swings and difficulty getting along with others
- Memory problems
- Trouble concentrating
Risk Factors
The following factors may increase the risk of developing OSA:
- Over age 65
- Male or postmenopausal female
- Enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids
- Family history of OSA
- Excessive weight/obesity
- Jaw problems, such as a small jaw (micrognathia) or a pulled back jaw (retrognathia)
Diagnosis
Given the harmful short and long-term effects of OSA, getting properly diagnosed is key. In addition to a complete physical exam, including the back of your throat, mouth and nose, you will be asked about your sleep problems, personal and family medical history, and lifestyle. You may be asked to keep a sleep diary to track your sleep, meals and activities over a limited period of time. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may need to undergo a sleep study, or polysomnogram, where you will stay overnight in our sleep center. Special equipment will monitor your heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, and leg movement while you sleep.
Treatment
Obstructive sleep apnea can be effectively treated through various means, depending on its severity and the underlying cause. Our sleep specialists may recommend lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, reducing alcohol consumption or changing sleep positions. We also may prescribe an assistive device or surgical procedure, which include:
- CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine – Keeps the upper airway from collapsing by blowing air into the nostrils or a mask worn over the nose and/or mouth during sleep. A CPAP also may reduce snoring.
- Oral (mouth) devices – Keeps the airway open by bringing the jaw forward or preventing the tongue from blocking the throat.
- Surgery – Includes procedures to remove the tonsils or adenoids, correct jaw problems, clear tissue from the back of the throat or reposition the tongue forward.
- Nerve stimulator device – Implanted under the skin of the neck and chest, device monitors breathing during sleep, providing mild muscle stimulation as needed to keep the airway open.