What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

Nov. 3, 2024

Obstructive sleep apnea contributes to the development of dementia among adults—particularly women, a study suggests.

About Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA):

  • OSA is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. 
  • People with OSA repeatedly stop and start breathing while they sleep. 
  • OSA occurs when a blockage in your airway keeps air from moving through your windpipe while you’re asleep. 
  • The blockage and lack of airflow can cause your blood oxygen levels to drop, triggering a survival reflex in your brain that wakes you up just enough to breathe again.
  • This happens off and on many times during sleep.
  • While that reflex is key in keeping you breathing, it also disrupts your sleep.
  • When your breathing is reduced and you're not taking enough oxygen, it's called hypopnea. If your breathing completely stops, it's called apnea. 
  • Snoring is one of the biggest symptoms of OSA.
  • Anyone at any age can have OSA. But it's most common in middle-aged and older adults. 
  • OSA has significant implications for cardiovascular health, mental illness, quality of life, and driving safety.
  • Treatment: Treatments for OSA are available. 
  • One treatment is a device that uses positive pressure to keep the airway open during sleep. 
  • Another option is a mouthpiece to thrust the lower jaw forward during sleep. 
  • In some people, surgery might be an option too.

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