What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
Obstructive sleep apnea is the interruption of airflow during sleep which leads to decreased oxygen levels in the bloodstream and frequent awakenings.
Who gets OSA?
Over 5% of the adult population have OSA aw well as 2% of the child population.
What are the most common causes?
The most common causes are:
- Adenotonsillar enlargement,
- Small jaw or big tongue,
- Deviated nasal septum or nasal polyps,
- Allergic rhinitis,
- Obesity,
- Diseases such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth and Marfan's syndrome,
- Gastroesophageal reflux
What are the symptoms of OSA?
Obstructive sleep apnea is manifested by snoring, pause in breathing sounds, daily sleepiness, tiredness, fatigue and frequent sleep awakenings.
What are the medical consequences of OSA in children?
1.Illness such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
2.Growth delay
3.Dental abnormalities
What are the medical consequences in adults?
- Hypertension
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Traffic accidents
- Diminished libido
- Cardiac arrhytmias
What are the tests for OSA?
Clinical examination and sleep study is the cornerstone for the diagnosis for OSA.