Obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder.
It causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep.
There are several types of sleep apnea, but the most common is obstructive sleep apnea.
This key in of apnea shows up when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep.
A noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring.
Treatments for obstructive sleep apnea are available.
One treatment involves using a gear that keep your airway open while you sleep.
Another option is a mouthpiece to thrust your jaw forward during sleep.
In more severe cases, surgery may be an option too.
Ask your doctor about any sleep problem that leaves you chronically fatigued, sleepy, and irritable.
Excessive daytime drowsiness may be due to other disorders, such as narcolepsy.
This may lower the level of oxygen in your blood and cause a buildup of carbon dioxide.
This awakening is usually so brief that you don’t remember it.
You may make a snorting, choking, or gasping sound.
This pattern can repeat itself five to 30 times or more each hour, all night long.
People with obstructive sleep apnea may not be aware that their sleep was interrupted.
In fact, many people with this throw in of sleep apnea think they slept well all night.
Anyone can develop obstructive sleep apnea.
Fat deposits around the upper airway may obstruct breathing.
However, not everyone with obstructive sleep apnea is overweight and vice versa.
Thin people can develop the disorder, too.
Narrowed airway.You may inherit naturally narrow airways.
Or, your tonsils or adenoids may become enlarged, which can block your airway.
High blood pressure (hypertension).Obstructive sleep apnea is relatively common in people with hypertension.
This may be due to narrowed airways.
Smoking.People who smoke are more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea.
Diabetes.Obstructive sleep apnea may be more common in people with diabetes.
Sex.In general, men are twice as likely as women to have obstructive sleep apnea.
Asthma.Recent research has found an association between asthma and the risk of obstructive sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea is considered a serious medical condition.
People with obstructive sleep apnea often experience severe daytime drowsiness, fatigue, and irritability.
Obstructive sleep apnea increases the risk of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias).
These abnormal rhythms can lower blood oxygen levels.
Complications with medications and surgery.Obstructive sleep apnea also is a concern with certain medications and general anesthesia.
People with obstructive sleep apnea may be more prone to complications after surgery.
Eye problems.Some research has found a connection between obstructive sleep apnea and certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma.
Eye complications can usually be treated.
Sleep-deprived partners.Loud snoring can keep those around you from getting good rest and eventually disrupt your relationships.
Some partners may even choose to sleep in another room.
Many bed partners of people who snore are sleep deprived as well.
Your doctor may refer you to a sleep specialist in a sleep center for further evaluation.
Your doctor may measure your neck and waist circumference and check your blood pressure.
The evaluation may involve overnight monitoring of your breathing and other body functions as you sleep.
In a split-night sleep study, you’ll be monitored during the first half of the night.
This test can help your doctor diagnose obstructive sleep apnea and adjust positive airway pressure therapy, if appropriate.
Certain devices can help open up a blocked airway.
In other cases, surgery may be necessary.
Positive airway pressure.If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you may benefit from positive airway pressure.
The most common bang out is called continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP (SEE-pap).
This air pressure prevents obstructive sleep apnea and snoring.
However, newer machines are smaller and less noisy than older machines.
You may need to try different types to find a suitable mask.
Several options are available, such as nasal masks, nasal pillows, or face masks.
If you’re having particular difficulties tolerating pressure, some machines have special adaptive pressure functions to improve comfort.
You also may benefit from using a humidifier along with your CPAP system.
CPAP may be given at a continuous (fixed) pressure or varied (autotitrating) pressure.
In fixed CPAP, the pressure stays constant.
In autotitrating CPAP, the levels of pressure are adjusted if the rig senses increased airway resistance.
Don’t stop using your positive airway pressure machine if you have problems.
Check with your doctor to see what adjustments you could make to improve its comfort.
These devices may reduce your sleepiness and improve your quality of life.
These devices are designed to keep your throat open.
Other devices hold your tongue in a different position.
A number of devices are available.
Close follow-up is needed to ensure successful treatment.
Your tonsils and adenoids may be removed as well.
UPPP usually is performed in a hospital and requires a general anesthetic.
These procedures don’t treat obstructive sleep apnea, but they may reduce snoring.
A small, thin impulse generator is implanted under the skin in the upper chest.
The equipment detects your breathing patterns and when necessary, stimulates the nerve that controls movement of the tongue.
This enlarges the space behind the tongue and soft palate, making obstruction less likely.
Air passes in and out of your lungs, bypassing the blocked air passage in your throat.
Implants.This minimally invasive treatment involves placement of three tiny polyester rods in the soft palate.
These inserts stiffen and support the tissue of the soft palate and reduce upper airway collapse and snoring.
This treatment is recommended only for people with mild obstructive sleep apnea.
However, your doctor may refer you to a sleep specialist.
It’s a good idea to be well-prepared for your appointment.
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Updated: 2017-08-02
Publication Date: 2007-05-31
