Many people may be affected with serious sleep disorders but may not know their nature and ill effects. As such it is wise to know what is obstructive sleep apnea? This is the particular condition wherein the patient suffers from disrupted breathing during sleep. Breathing stops and starts in repeated manners when the sufferer sleeps. Both sexes and people of all ages are prone to this disorder. However, the adults, middle-aged and overweight persons are mostly affected. Many complications may arise if this disease is not treated in time. The patients may suffer from cardiovascular problems, arrhythmias, daytime fatigue and other such ill effects.   

Symptoms – Snoring, excessive sleepiness during daytime, disruptions in breathing when one is sleeping, chest pain when one is awake, shortness of breath, morning headache, difficult concentration in the day, irritability/depression, insomnia and high blood pressure are the common signs of this problem.

Causes – Following factors are generally responsible for obstructive sleep apnea:

• Large Neck – People with thick necks may develop this disorder. The airways may get narrowed due to the thickness of the neck. Men with neck circumference of more than seventeen inches and women with more than sixteen inches are prone to this disease.
• Excessive weight – Breathing may be disrupted because of deposits of fat around the upper airways.
• Larger waist – People with this feature may also develop this problem.
• High blood pressure – This could also lead to obstructive sleep apnea.

Treatments – Those suffering from any sleep disorder must also know what is obstructive sleep apnea? This would enable them to understand the problem and its ill effects. They would be able to approach the qualified specialist, who may recommend polysomnography, oximetry or portable monitoring etc for proper diagnosis.

Lifestyle changes – Patients are advised to avoid extra fat, exercise regularly, take minimum drinks, quit smoking, avoid sleeping on the back and use nasal decongestants.

In case the above tips do not work well, the doctors recommend other measures. They generally make use of a device for keeping the airway open. A mouthpiece may also be used for thrusting the jaw forward during sleep. Many people prefer to change the structure of their throat, mouth or nose. The doctor may recommend medications to reduce daytime sleepiness.

Surgery – It may be needed for certain patients that have failed to respond to other therapies. They may have to undergo UPPP, i.e. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty involving removal of the tissue from the back of one’s mouth and top of the throat. Adenoids and tonsils are also removed along with.

Few patients may be required to undergo jaw surgery.

Surgical opening in the neck may also be needed for certain patients.

Other surgical treatments include implants, nasal surgery or the one performed to remove polyps or straighten the crooked partition between the nostrils.

Therapies including positive airway pressure may also work well with this disease. This method involves a machine that delivers air pressure through a piece fitting into the nose when the patient sleeps. This procedure helps to reduce daytime sleepiness.