Millions of people worldwide suffer from obstructive sleep apnea a sleep disorder. With this disorder, a person will begin to stop breathing on and off during sleep which can cause major health and life problems. Unknown to lay people and also not widely understood among sleep medicine experts are several factors of obstructive sleep apnea that should be appreciated to enable early recognition and appropriate management.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is when the body’s soft tissue during sleep and relaxes the supporting strengths too much. This causes the airway to become narrow resulting in repeated pauses in breathing. The severity of OSA ranges from mild to severe and is characterized by loud snoring snorting choking pause in breathing and excessive daytime sleepiness.
The benefits of early diagnosis of OSA are Important
Diagnosis and treatment of OSA OSA is important because it can lead to long-term health complications (cardiovascular disease diabetes and high BP). It can affect cognitive functions that harm memory and concentration and can lead to an increased risk of work and driving accidents due to sleepiness caused by OSA not being treated.
Symptoms That Indicate OSA
Some common symptoms can include:
- Loud nasal sounds especially in the supine position
- A sleeping partner often observes an episode of stopped breathing during sleep
- Gasping for air or choking as soon as they wake up
- Headaches in the morning and a dry mouth
- Too much sleepiness during the daytime
- Difficulty concentrating
If you know are experiencing these symptoms please seek medical attention for a complete assessment.
Diagnosis of OSA
Medical History and Physical Examinations
Diagnosis almost always starts with a thorough clinical history and physical examination. Your doctor might ask about your sleep patterns lifestyle factors and related medical conditions. A physical exam may also be conducted to assess for evidence of airway obstruction.
Polysomnography Sleep Study
Confirmatory test Polysomnography or a sleep study is the gold standard for diagnosing OSA. An overnight sleep study in a sleep clinic or lab involves monitoring the patient’s sleep stages breathing heart rate oxygen levels and other vital signs. Confident decisions about the severity of OSA are based on polysomnography which provides extensive constructs of data.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Home Testing (HSAT)
In certain cases, a Home Sleep Apnea Test may be a more suitable option too. It is performed at the patient’s home and is less expanded than polysomnography but it can be used for the diagnosis of moderate and severe OSA. Hyundai Smart Airflow System As for HSAT its function is to keep track of the breathing patterns heart rate and even oxygen levels to identify apnea episodes.
Management of OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea)
Lifestyle Modifications
For mild OSA making lifestyle adjustments may be enough to relieve symptoms. These changes can include:
- Lose the Extras Extra weight, especially around your neck can help block your airway. The additional weight gain usually affects the OSA symptoms so weight loss usually helps.
- Postural Therapy: Individuals whose symptoms worsen while sleeping on their backs Positional therapy includes the use of measures or devices to promote the position of sidesleeping.
- They could make the throat muscles relax to increase the probability of airway collapse so stay clear of these products and avoid alcohol and sedatives should you suffer from sleep quality problems.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy
The standard prescribed treatment for moderate to severe OSA is CPAP therapy. This includes wearing a mask that is attached to a machine that delivers constant air pressure to keep the airway open while sleeping. CPAP is known to be beneficial for decreasing apnea events as well as improving sleep.
Oral Appliances
Oral appliances are custom-made devices worn in the mouth that reposition the jaw and/or tongue to maintain an open airway. They are optimal for mild to moderate OSA patients or those who may not tolerate CPAP therapy.
Surgical Options
If the treatment options above do not work or if it is a severe case surgery may be done. Surgical options to treat OSA have the goal of widening the airway by removing or relocating the pallet or other tissues located in the mouth throat or nasal air passages. These include some of the following procedures:
- uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: Surgery to remove tissue from the back of the mouth and throat.
- Surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: Genioglossus advancement moving the tongue muscle to help avoid airway collapse.
- Maxillomandibular Advancement: The upper and lower jaw are advanced which opens space behind the tongue.
Choosing the Right Treatment
The type of treatment also depends on the severity of OSA the preferences of the patients and the presence of other diseases. A healthcare professional will assess these factors to develop an individualized treatment plan to effectively address OSA symptoms.
FollowUp Care: Why it Matters
Follow-up with the healthcare provider is key to the successful management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Regular assessments assist in keeping track of the response of the patients to therapy modify therapy accordingly and reduce complications. Regular follow-up can ensure better long-term results and overall quality of life.
Conclusion
Diagnosing and treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea are the first important steps on the road to better health and more quality of life. There are various ways to help manage OSA be it lifestyle changes CPAP therapy oral appliances or surgery. If you think you might have signs of OSA you should contact a physician so they can review testing and treatment options tailored to you.