Sleep Apnea
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?



Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a potentially serious sleep disorder and often life-threatening condition. There are three types of sleep apnea—obstructive, central, and mixed but the most common type is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when tissue in the upper airways blocks the breathing passages. It has been estimated that 24% of middle-aged men and 9% of middle-aged women have obstructive sleep apnea.

Symptomatic OSA is usually characterized by sleep disruption and daytime sleepiness. You may have sleep apnea if you snore loudly and you feel tired even after a full night's sleep.

Obstructive sleep apnea, or simply sleep apnea, can cause fragmented sleep and low blood oxygen levels. For people with sleep apnea, the combination of disturbed sleep and oxygen starvation may lead to hypertension, heart disease and mood and memory problems. Sleep apnea also increases the risk of automobile crashes. Sleep apnea can be life-threatening and you should consult your doctor immediately if you feel you may suffer from it.