Obstructive sleep apnea | |
---|---|
Other names | Obstructive sleep apnoea; obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS); obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) [1] |
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Obstructive sleep apnea: As soft tissue falls to the back of the throat, it impedes the passage of air (blue arrows) through the trachea. | |
Specialty | Sleep medicine |
Symptoms | Daytime sleepiness, snoring, periods of interrupted breathing, nighttime urination, morning headaches [2] [1] |
Usual onset | Age over 40 [1] |
Types | Mild ( AHI 5 to 15), moderate (AHI 16 to 30), severe (AHI > 30) |
Risk factors | Overweight, sedatives, large tonsils, smoking, nasal congestion, family history [1] |
Diagnostic method | Polysomnography, home sleep testing [2] |
Differential diagnosis | COPD, central sleep apnea, narcolepsy, periodic limb movement disorder [3] |
Treatment | CPAP, weight loss, avoiding sedatives, mandibular advancement device, surgery [2] [1] |
Prognosis | Decreased life expectancy [3] |
Frequency | Common [2] |
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is recurrent episodes of narrowing or blockage of the throat during sleep. [1] Symptoms may include daytime sleepiness, snoring, short periods of interrupted breathing, nighttime urination, and headaches in the morning. [1] [2] Complications may include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and motor vehicle collisions. [2]
Risk factors include being overweight, taking sedatives, large tonsils, smoking, nasal congestion, and family history. [1] The underlying mechanism involves a fall in oxygen levels which results in partial or complete waking. [1] Symptoms are often first noticed by family or friends rather than the person themselves. [1] Diagnosis is based on an apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) of at least 5 per hour as measured by polysomnography or home sleep testing. [2] [4] It is a type of sleep apnea, along with the less common central sleep apnea. [1]
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the recommended treatment in those with moderate to severe disease. [2] While it improves daytime sleepiness and quality of life, affects on risk of heart disease or death is unclear. [5] [6] [7] Weight loss and avoiding sedatives are also recommended. [2] Other options may be used in those who cannot tolerate CPAP, including a mandibular advancement device or surgery. [1] [2] Life expectancy is lower among those effected, particularly if they do not tolerate CPAP. [3]
Obstructive sleep apnea is common; affecting about a billion people worldwide. [3] In the United States it occurs in about 34% of middle aged males and 17% of females. [2] [8] It occurs more commonly in those over the age of 40. [1] Some countries limit the ability to drive among those affected until the condition is well controlled. [1] Interest in the condition grew in part from Charles Dickens' novel The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club in 1837; with the link with airway obstruction recognized in the 1960s. [9] [10]
Obstructive sleep apnea | |
---|---|
Other names | Obstructive sleep apnoea; obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS); obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) [1] |
![]() | |
Obstructive sleep apnea: As soft tissue falls to the back of the throat, it impedes the passage of air (blue arrows) through the trachea. | |
Specialty | Sleep medicine |
Symptoms | Daytime sleepiness, snoring, periods of interrupted breathing, nighttime urination, morning headaches [2] [1] |
Usual onset | Age over 40 [1] |
Types | Mild ( AHI 5 to 15), moderate (AHI 16 to 30), severe (AHI > 30) |
Risk factors | Overweight, sedatives, large tonsils, smoking, nasal congestion, family history [1] |
Diagnostic method | Polysomnography, home sleep testing [2] |
Differential diagnosis | COPD, central sleep apnea, narcolepsy, periodic limb movement disorder [3] |
Treatment | CPAP, weight loss, avoiding sedatives, mandibular advancement device, surgery [2] [1] |
Prognosis | Decreased life expectancy [3] |
Frequency | Common [2] |
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is recurrent episodes of narrowing or blockage of the throat during sleep. [1] Symptoms may include daytime sleepiness, snoring, short periods of interrupted breathing, nighttime urination, and headaches in the morning. [1] [2] Complications may include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and motor vehicle collisions. [2]
Risk factors include being overweight, taking sedatives, large tonsils, smoking, nasal congestion, and family history. [1] The underlying mechanism involves a fall in oxygen levels which results in partial or complete waking. [1] Symptoms are often first noticed by family or friends rather than the person themselves. [1] Diagnosis is based on an apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) of at least 5 per hour as measured by polysomnography or home sleep testing. [2] [4] It is a type of sleep apnea, along with the less common central sleep apnea. [1]
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the recommended treatment in those with moderate to severe disease. [2] While it improves daytime sleepiness and quality of life, affects on risk of heart disease or death is unclear. [5] [6] [7] Weight loss and avoiding sedatives are also recommended. [2] Other options may be used in those who cannot tolerate CPAP, including a mandibular advancement device or surgery. [1] [2] Life expectancy is lower among those effected, particularly if they do not tolerate CPAP. [3]
Obstructive sleep apnea is common; affecting about a billion people worldwide. [3] In the United States it occurs in about 34% of middle aged males and 17% of females. [2] [8] It occurs more commonly in those over the age of 40. [1] Some countries limit the ability to drive among those affected until the condition is well controlled. [1] Interest in the condition grew in part from Charles Dickens' novel The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club in 1837; with the link with airway obstruction recognized in the 1960s. [9] [10]