What is OSA?

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is the most prevalent type of sleep disorder, constituting 84% of sleep apnoea diagnoses, affecting over 100 million adults globally, according to the World Health Organisation.

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OSA occurs when the upper airway temporarily closes during sleep, leading to recurring instances of apnoea, where breathing stops for at least ten seconds, potentially happening several hundred times per night. This closure can result from various factors:

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• Relaxation of mouth and throat muscles during sleep.

• Narrowing of the airway due to fatty tissue in the neck.

• Inflamed tonsils or other transient factors.

• Structural issues, such as the shape of the nose, neck, or jaw.

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Despite the common association of OSA with loud snoring, it's essential to recognize that not everyone who snores has OSA.

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Developing in both children and adults, OSA in children often stems from structural causes like jaw shape, tonsils, or a large overbite obstructing the airway, complicating breathing during sleep.

 

Other contributing factors may include birth defects like Down's syndrome or childhood obesity.

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Several risk factors increase the likelihood of developing OSA, such as obesity, large neck circumference, large tonsils, narrowed airway, chronic nasal congestion, male gender, increasing age, ethnicity, family history, smoking, alcohol consumption, anatomical abnormalities, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes

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Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder where the upper airway becomes partially or fully blocked during sleep due to excessive relaxation of throat muscles, causing temporary breathing interruptions lasting at least ten seconds. This results in symptoms like persistent snoring, choking, abrupt awakenings with breathlessness, and daytime sleepiness.

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OSA is linked to factors such as obesity, nasal or throat structural issues, enlarged tonsils, a small jaw, and medical conditions like hypothyroidism. Lifestyle habits like smoking and excessive alcohol intake can worsen the condition.

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Untreated OSA poses risks such as cardiovascular problems, hypertension, diabetes, and daytime fatigue-related accidents. Diagnosis involves a sleep study, and treatment options include lifestyle changes, positional therapy, and devices like Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines. Seeking prompt medical attention is vital for managing and improving OSA symptoms. for more information please visit: www.cpap.qa

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