Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
What is OSA? According to UpToDate, "Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or "OSA," is a condition that makes you stop breathing for short periods while you sleep. People with OSA do not know they stop breathing when they are asleep. But they do sometimes wake up startled or gasping for breath. They also often hear from loved ones that they snore. With OSA, you stop breathing because your throat narrows or closes. Untreated sleep apnea in older adults appears to be associated with an increased risk of stroke, cognitive abnormalities, and heart failure.”
What are some symptoms of OSA?
- Loud snoring
- Nonrestorative sleep or fatigue – waking up still feeling tired
- Daytime sleepiness
- Witnessed apnea by sleeping partner
- Waking up choking or gasping
- Nocturnal restlessness – tossing and turning at night
- Insomnia – trouble falling or staying asleep
- Lack of concentration
- Cognitive deficits – short-term memory loss
- Changes in mood
- Morning headaches
- Vivid, strange, or threatening dreams
- Nocturia – waking up more than once during the night to urinate
Who is at higher risk for OSA?
- Older age
- Males
- Obesity
- Craniofacial/structural differences
- Sedation from medication or alcohol
How is it diagnosed?
- In-office polysomnography (sleep study)
- Home sleep apnea testing
How is OSA treated?
- Positive airway pressure (PAP)
- Oral devices
- Hypoglossal nerve stimulation
- Surgery
Who should I talk to if I think I have OSA? If you think you may have sleep apnea, are experiencing any sleep disturbances or symptoms, or have been told you snore/choke/gasp for air in your sleep by someone in your household, talk to your healthcare provider for further evaluation.