what is osa

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common sleep-related breathing disorder where airflow is repeatedly reduced or completely blocked during sleep despite ongoing effort to breathe. This happens because the muscles in the throat relax and the soft tissue collapses, blocking the upper airway. These episodes, called apneas (complete blockage) or hypopneas (partial blockage), cause interruptions in breathing that last at least 10 seconds and can occur many times an hour through the night. The blockage leads to a decrease in blood oxygen levels, which causes the brain to briefly wake the body to reopen the airway. This cycle results in fragmented sleep and can cause excessive daytime sleepiness as well as other symptoms such as loud snoring, choking, gasping during sleep, morning headaches, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. OSA is most prevalent in middle-aged and older adults and is associated with risk factors including obesity, having a thick neck, being male, age over 50, family history, and nasal congestion. It is estimated that many adults with OSA remain undiagnosed. Diagnosing OSA involves measuring the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), which counts the number of apnea and hypopnea episodes per hour of sleep. Moderate OSA is indicated by 15-29 breathing interruptions per hour and severe OSA by 30 or more per hour. Untreated OSA can lead to significant health problems, including cardiovascular issues, daytime fatigue, and reduced quality of life. Common treatments include lifestyle changes and the use of devices like CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines to keep the airway open during sleep. In summary, OSA is a chronic condition characterized by repeated airway obstruction during sleep, leading to disrupted sleep and serious health risks if untreated. It often goes unrecognized without proper testing and diagnosis. This explanation is based on comprehensive medical sources detailing OSA's definition, symptoms, causes, and diagnosis.