Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the commonest types of sleep apnea. A person with this problem typically loses breath while sleeping. Breath cessation in OSA is caused by blockage of the upper airway. Some patients have been known to lose their breath for up to twenty seconds in one episode. This may occur several times per night. In this article, we will explore a number of important aspects on obstructive sleep apnea Richardson Tx residents will find important to know.
Rarely do individuals with this condition recognize that they have the condition. It often takes a bed partner to point out the symptoms. Commonly the symptoms are characterised by loud snoring, restlessness and drowsiness during the day. The daytime drowsiness can be attributed to frequent sleep disturbance in the course of the night. Other symptoms may include headache, anxiety, depression, nocturia and high blood pressure.
The presentation of this condition in adults is different from what is seen in children. Affected adults are usually overweight with short, heavy necks. On the other hand, children present with growth retardation and are usually thin. This could be attributed to the large amount of calories consumed in the process of breathing in children. Blockage of the airway also makes eating uncomfortable in those affected.
The risk factors of OSA are linked to factors that decrease the muscle tone of the airway. Some of these factors include old age, sedatives and alcoholic drinks. Compared to women, men are at higher risk due to the increased muscle mass around the neck and torso. Additionally, progesterone hormone is protective in women. This therefore means that women past their menopause face almost the same risk as men in a similar age group. Pregnancy is a risk factor in women. Family history of OSA is also a risk factor in both men and women.
Chromosomal abnormalities involving facial features predispose an individual to developing this condition. Often times, the mouth, jaw, nose and resting muscle tone are involved. For example, Downs syndrome, a craniofacial syndrome, is characterised by a very narrow nasopharynx, a large tongue and low muscle tone. It should, however, be noted that the airway is far improved in other craniofacial syndromes such as cleft palate.
Various treatment options are available. Individuals are advised to avoid smoking and taking alcohol. They should also avoid drugs that relax the central nervous system such as muscle relaxants and sedatives. Those who are overweight should also try and lose weight. In addition, physical exercise, even without losing weight, does improve breathing.
A current form of intervention that is widely used is positive airway pressure system. It involves the use of additional pressure that holds relaxed airway muscles open. A breathing pump together with a mask worn over the mouth or nose (or both) is used. Variants of this system include VPAP (variable positive airway pressure), CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) and APAP (automatic positive airway pressure) among others.
A positive outcome in obstructive sleep apnea is not guaranteed if no interventions are made. This is because one ends up with minimal oxygen saturation levels and long term sleep deprivation. Some of the consequences include cardiovascular disease, aortic disease, elevated blood pressure, obesity and diabetes.
Rarely do individuals with this condition recognize that they have the condition. It often takes a bed partner to point out the symptoms. Commonly the symptoms are characterised by loud snoring, restlessness and drowsiness during the day. The daytime drowsiness can be attributed to frequent sleep disturbance in the course of the night. Other symptoms may include headache, anxiety, depression, nocturia and high blood pressure.
The presentation of this condition in adults is different from what is seen in children. Affected adults are usually overweight with short, heavy necks. On the other hand, children present with growth retardation and are usually thin. This could be attributed to the large amount of calories consumed in the process of breathing in children. Blockage of the airway also makes eating uncomfortable in those affected.
The risk factors of OSA are linked to factors that decrease the muscle tone of the airway. Some of these factors include old age, sedatives and alcoholic drinks. Compared to women, men are at higher risk due to the increased muscle mass around the neck and torso. Additionally, progesterone hormone is protective in women. This therefore means that women past their menopause face almost the same risk as men in a similar age group. Pregnancy is a risk factor in women. Family history of OSA is also a risk factor in both men and women.
Chromosomal abnormalities involving facial features predispose an individual to developing this condition. Often times, the mouth, jaw, nose and resting muscle tone are involved. For example, Downs syndrome, a craniofacial syndrome, is characterised by a very narrow nasopharynx, a large tongue and low muscle tone. It should, however, be noted that the airway is far improved in other craniofacial syndromes such as cleft palate.
Various treatment options are available. Individuals are advised to avoid smoking and taking alcohol. They should also avoid drugs that relax the central nervous system such as muscle relaxants and sedatives. Those who are overweight should also try and lose weight. In addition, physical exercise, even without losing weight, does improve breathing.
A current form of intervention that is widely used is positive airway pressure system. It involves the use of additional pressure that holds relaxed airway muscles open. A breathing pump together with a mask worn over the mouth or nose (or both) is used. Variants of this system include VPAP (variable positive airway pressure), CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) and APAP (automatic positive airway pressure) among others.
A positive outcome in obstructive sleep apnea is not guaranteed if no interventions are made. This is because one ends up with minimal oxygen saturation levels and long term sleep deprivation. Some of the consequences include cardiovascular disease, aortic disease, elevated blood pressure, obesity and diabetes.
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