Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a chronic condition in which the air passage in the throat becomes blocked during sleep. Often caused by a relaxed soft palate (which is also associated with snoring), an apnea blockage prevents oxygen from entering the lungs for at least 10 seconds or longer.
When this happens, the oxygen level in the bloodstream falls. The body reacts by waking up and taking control of the throat muscles to reopen the airway. Bed partners often report hearing the person gasping or choking for air, then falling back asleep again. The cycle repeats itself throughout the night; in fact, blockages occurring hundreds of times per night have been reported in some patients with OSA.
When a person’s airway is blocked, the oxygen in the circulating blood is decreased and the organs receive less oxygen. The heart compensates by trying to pump harder and faster, instead of working more slowly during sleep. This causes a rise in blood pressure.
Sources commonly estimate that only 5 to 10 percent of people with OSA have been diagnosed, as the person suffering from the condition is often unaware of sleep disordered breathing. It is often the spouse or bed partner who first notices sleep apnea.
Once detected, OSA can be readily and successfully treated, not only remedying the symptoms of sleep apnea, but also having a beneficial impact on blood pressure, blood sugar, and other factors that directly affect coexisting conditions.
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
As people with OSA sleep, their bodies may be struggling from a lack of oxygen. As a result, they never achieve the deep, restful sleep necessary to good health.
From a physiological standpoint, sleep apnea causes decreased oxygen levels in the blood that can aggravate diabetes and high blood pressure, and lead to abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks or strokes. The National Commission on Sleep Disorders attributes 38,000 cardiovascular deaths a year to sleep apnea.
Elevated blood pressure triggered by episodes of apnea has been considered the major reason for the serious cardiovascular consequences of untreated OSA. However, newer information suggests that there are additional factors. OSA is associated with an increase in the amount of inflammatory cells and chemicals in the blood stream. Inflammation in the lining of blood vessels plays a role in atherosclerosis, the blockage of arteries. Research also has shown an association between OSA and increased blood levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine, substances that raise blood pressure and impact inflammation.
A more obvious sign of OSA for many people is a feeling of excessive tiredness during the day. Many OSA sufferers also struggle to stay awake at work or while driving. This also can be considered a life-threatening side effect of OSA. Research has shown that individuals with OSA are six times more likely to be involved in traffic accidents than those without sleep apnea.
Snoring, a common symptom of OSA, also can interrupt the sleep and affect the health of the snorer's partner.
How Can You Be Tested?
You can click here to take our online Apnea Risk Survey prepared by sleep physicians. You will be asked questions to identify if you or a loved one may be suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea.