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Sleep Apnea

What is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? Obstructive Sleep Apnea is when a person stops breathing during sleep because his or her airway collapses and prevents air from getting into the lungs.

What causes the airway to collapse during sleep?
Several factors that can contribute to airway collapse are:

• Extra Tissue in the Back of the Throat, Such as Large Tonsils or Uvula
• A Decrease in the Tone of the Muscles Holding the Airway Open
  Nasal Obstruction
• Certain Jaw or Facial Structures or Attributes, Such as a Recessed Chin

How many people have OSA?
Statistics reveal that:

• 4 in 100 middle-aged men have OSA.
• 2 in 100 middle-aged women have OSA.
• Most OSA sufferers remain undiagnosed and untreated.

Symptoms
There are some easy-to-identify signs and symptoms associated with OSA.

• Do you snore?
• Do you choke or gasp for breath while you sleep?
• Has anyone told you that you stop breathing during sleep?
• Do you feel tired or fatigued after you sleep?
• Has your weight changed in the last 5 years?
• Have you ever nodded off or fallen asleep while driving a vehicle?

If you answered yes to two or more of these questions, you may suffer from OSA. Additional symptoms include morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, depression, irritability, memory loss and sexual dysfunction.

Each of us expects and deserves a good night's sleep. But for many, sleeping is a struggle. They - and approximately 18 million other Americans - suffer from a common, but often undiagnosed, sleep disorder known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a life-threatening and life-altering condition that causes a person to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep. As a result, the body doesn't get enough oxygen.

The most common sign of OSA is snoring, interrupted by pauses in breathing. This interrupted breathing pattern interferes with restful sleep. The lack of sleep affects daytime alertness and one's ability to function well throughout the day. Ultimately, OSA takes its toll on an individual's quality of life. The bed partner's sleep may also be disrupted by his or her partner's snoring, pauses in breathing and restless sleep.

The good news is that OSA is treatable, and there is relief. Ask SomnoDiagnostics, Inc., any questions you have about Sleep Apnea or any other sleep disorder.