Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), also simply called sleep apnea, is a medical condition where the soft tissues of the throat become lax or loosened. This causes them to descend into the airway when the person is sleeping. When these tissues hang into the airway, they can block airflow and cause the person to stop breathing. These interruptions in breathing can last only a moment, or they can go for longer periods of time. Interruptions can also occur multiple times a night and interfere with sleep cycles. Symptoms can be mild or nonexistent but for many they are bad enough to cause snoring, snorting, and choking during sleep.
Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, but it does not guarantee that a person has the condition. Snoring can be associated with clogged sinus passages, allergies, and colds. In addition, not every person with OSA will snore. If a person has continual snoring problems as well as other signs of OSA including moodiness, daytime drowsiness, forgetfulness, problems concentrating, and falling asleep during the day, it will be more likely that OSA is present. If this is the case, he or she should contact the doctor to be tested. This will be particularly true if the person wakes up choking or gasping for air.
Sleep apnea is linked to many health risks such as:
The interruptions can also increase the risk of being involved in a fatigued auto accident.
When symptoms are mild, a night guard can shift the lower jaw forward to keep the airway free of blockage. These mouthguards are custom-made for each person and will be comfortable to wear when sleeping. When more severe, surgery, laser therapy, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can be very helpful. These help the person to sleep without interruptions in breathing.
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