What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea and How Can It Affect You?

OSA often results from a physical blockage in the airflow, specifically in the throat area. This blockage usually occurs because the muscles responsible for keeping the airway open relax excessively during sleep, leading to a narrowed or closed airway. This situation can cause a temporary cessation of breathing and a drop in oxygen levels in the blood, forcing the brain to awaken momentarily to restart the breathing process.

Multiple risk factors lead to the development of OSA. These include anatomical abnormalities such as enlarged tonsils or adenoids, narrowed nasal passages or a deviated septum, a receding mandible, an unusually large tongue, and obesity, which can lead to excessive fat deposits around the neck.

Neuromuscular dysfunction, such as weakened muscles in the throat and tongue or impaired neural control of these muscles, can cause the development of OSA. Lifestyle habits and health conditions such as alcohol consumption, use of sedatives or tranquilizers before sleep, nasal congestion, allergies, hypothyroidism, postmenopausal hormonal changes in women, or acromegaly can also contribute to the condition.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects millions worldwide. This condition involves intermittent disruptions to your breathing during sleep, causing numerous complications that can significantly affect your overall health and well-being.

OSA is a condition in which breathing pauses during sleep due to an obstruction or collapse of the airway. This disruption of natural sleep cycles often leads to frequent awakenings during the night, compromising your sleep quality. Over time, excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and an increased risk of accidents can ensue.

Treatment options for OSA may include lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and avoiding alcohol, or medical interventions, such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, or surgery.

OSA, the most prevalent type of sleep apnea, is caused by a physical obstruction in the upper airway, typically when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep. This can lead to significant sleep disruption and reduced oxygen levels in the blood. Loud snoring, morning headaches, and excessive daytime sleepiness are just a few symptoms of OSA. In contrast, CSA is less common but equally serious.

At Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders, we understand that while all cases of obstructive sleep apnea constitute sleep apnea, not all cases of sleep apnea are obstructive. Therefore, we believe that a correct diagnosis is crucial, and our team of experts is skilled in distinguishing between different types of sleep apnea.

We offer a range of treatment options for OSA, including the use of a oral appliances designed to keep the airway open.

OSA is linked to a host of health complications. The decrease in oxygen levels that occurs during sleep puts the cardiovascular system under stress and raises the risk of hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, heart attacks, and strokes.

Furthermore, OSA is associated with metabolic syndrome, which includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. This combination increases the risk of heart disease, strokes, and type 2 diabetes. Other health conditions that OSA can lead to include weight gain, obesity, and liver problems like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

The frequent interruptions in sleep can also cause excessive daytime sleepiness, increasing the risk of accidents and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

While the risks associated with OSA are significant, it’s important to note that effective treatments are available. We believe that recognizing the symptoms early and seeking medical help promptly is crucial in managing OSA effectively.

If you believe you are suffering from OSA, reach out to us at Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders.