Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a relatively common condition in which the walls of the throat relax and narrow during sleep, interrupting normal breathing. Frequent interruptions in sleep can lead to sleep deprivation and, as a result, have a significant impact on quality of life.
There are two characteristic types of breathing pauses in obstructive sleep apnea:
Apnea
Apnea is defined as a cessation of breathing lasting 10 seconds or longer, caused by the relaxation of the muscles and soft tissues in the throat and their collapse to the point of completely blocking the airway.
Hypopnea
Partial airway obstruction causes a reduction in breathing of more than 50% for 10 seconds or longer.
Patients with obstructive sleep apnea may experience repeated episodes of apnea and hypopnea throughout the night. In severe cases, these episodes can occur approximately once every one or two minutes. Since patients with obstructive sleep apnea typically experience both apnea and hypopnea episodes, doctors refer to the condition as “Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome.” The term “obstructive” distinguishes OSA from rarer forms of sleep apnea, such as central sleep apnea, which results from the brain’s failure to send signals to the respiratory muscles during sleep.
Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea are often noticed by a partner, friend, or family member who observes episodes while you are sleeping.
Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea may include the following:
- Loud snoring
- Noisy and labored breathing
- Becoming breathless and experiencing a brief pause in breathing
In addition, people with obstructive sleep apnea may occasionally experience night sweats and wake up frequently during the night to urinate. During an episode, the lack of oxygen prevents you from entering deep sleep. When you wake up from an episode, your airway reopens and you can breathe normally again. These repeated sleep disruptions can cause you to feel very tired throughout the day. You usually don’t remember the pauses in your breathing, so you may not realize you have a problem.
When Should You Seek Medical Help?
Since people with obstructive sleep apnea may not realize they have the condition, it often goes undiagnosed. If you think you might have obstructive sleep apnea, consult your healthcare provider. They can rule out other possible causes of your symptoms and arrange for your sleep to be evaluated at a local sleep center.
Causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
It is normal for the muscles and soft tissues in the throat to relax to some extent during sleep; for most people, this does not cause breathing problems. In patients with obstructive sleep apnea, the airway narrows as a result of a number of factors, including the following:
Being overweight
Excess body fat increases the volume of soft tissue in the neck, which can put pressure on the throat muscles; excess abdominal fat can also cause breathing difficulties that may further worsen obstructive sleep apnea.
Being a man
It is not known why obstructive sleep apnea is more common in men than in women, but it may be related to differences in body fat distribution.
Menopause
Changes in hormone levels during menopause can cause the throat muscles to relax more than usual.
Be 40 years of age or older
Although obstructive sleep apnea can occur at any age, it is more common in people over the age of 40.
To be very tall
Men with a neck circumference of approximately 43 cm (17 inches) or more have an increased risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea. Factors such as a narrow airway, enlarged tonsils, adenoids, a small tongue, and a small lower jaw can contribute to the condition.
Taking medications with a sedative effect, such as alcohol, sleeping pills, or tranquilizers—especially when consumed before bedtime—can make sleep apnea even worse.
Smoking
If you smoke, you are more likely to develop sleep apnea.
Having a family member with obstructive sleep apnea
You may have inherited genes from your family that could make you more susceptible to obstructive sleep apnea.
Nasal congestion
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is more common in people with nasal congestion, such as those with a deviated septum or nasal polyps, which can result from narrowing of the airways.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is considered a serious medical condition, and some cases require surgical intervention. In Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the goal of surgery is to prevent the upper airway from becoming blocked during sleep. Some surgical options are as follows:
Surgical tissue removal, jawbone surgery, and implants.
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may conduct an evaluation or refer you to a sleep disorders center.
Dr. Nuran Kalekoğlu Erkalp