Obstructive Sleep Apnea Resources
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic condition that affects as many as 30 million Americans; however, only 6 million people are diagnosed with the condition. OSA causes breathing pauses (apneas) or very shallow breathing during sleep as the result of airway tissues blocking or obstructing the airway.
Apneas occur when the tissues in the back of the throat or the tongue relax too much and obstruct the airway, making it difficult for air to reach your lungs. The tissues vibrate when air tries to move past the obstruction, causing a snoring sound. These apneas can last 10 seconds or longer and can occur many times every hour. During apneas, your oxygen levels can fall to dangerously low levels, potentially leading to severe health conditions.
It is common for people to be unaware that they suffer from OSA, and 80 percent of the cases of moderate or severe OSA remain undiagnosed. One of the reasons that OSA is under-diagnosed is that it only happens when you are asleep, and therefore, you don’t know it is happening.
What Causes OSA?
OSA Signs & Symptoms
How Is OSA Diagnosed?
A sleep study is required to diagnose OSA. This test can be conducted in a sleep center/lab or at home. The type of test ordered depends on the patient's physician, overall health condition, and insurance.
Sleep Labs use a test called a polysomnography, which is a painless test that measure how well a patient sleeps and how the patient’s body responds to any sleep problems.
The patient sleeps overnight in a controlled environment where a specially trained technologist records the patient’s breathing, heart rate, oxygen levels, body movements, brain activity, and eye movements.
When a patient orders a home sleep test (HST), they are provided with equipment and directions to set up and use the equipment at home. This test typically records breathing, heart rate and oxygen levels. A technologist will not be at the patient's home during an HST.
OSA Treatment
There are three classifications of OSA: mild, moderate and severe. A patient's treatment options will depend on the results of the sleep study. In addition to other treatments, doctors may recommend lifestyle changes such as diet changes, weight loss, and exercise. They may also encouraged a change in sleeping position. Other treatments may include:
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) has been found to be the most effective treatment for most people with obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP machine is typically very small and portable. It blows pressurized air into the airway during sleep. This pressurized air keeps the tissues in the back of the throat from collapsing so that air and oxygen can easily reach the lungs.
Another treatment option is wearing an oral appliance or dental device that is designed to keep your airway open. There are different device options. These devices pull your jaw or tongue forward creating more space in your throat and opening the airways.
Inspire therapy is the only FDA-approved therapy that works inside your body to treat OSA. The inspire device is a surgical implant that delivers small pulses to your tongue to move it out of the way each time you take a breath. No mask or hose is required. You have a handheld remote that turns it on when you are ready to go to sleep.
Living with OSA
Sleep apnea can be improved with a combination of treatment, lifestyle changes, regular doctor appointments, and healthy sleeping habits. If a patient is experience complications or health changes, they should talk to their doctor. If a patient loses or gains a significant amount of weight, they may need to repeat their sleep study.
With the proper management and support, individuals with OSA can find ways to improve their sleep quality and overall well-being, allowing them to lead more fulfilling lives.
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