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Importance of Sleep Apnea Syndrome
What Are The Signs and Symptoms Of OSA?
 

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What is Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) results from the repeated partial or total obstruction of the upper airway during sleep.  This collapse of the airway prevents air from getting into the lungs.  sleep patterns are disrupted, resulting in excessive sleepiness or fatigue during the day.

How Many People Have OSA?

As many as 10% of adults in the US have at least mild OSA, approximating 20 to 30 million people.  While OSA is as common as adult asthma, it is estimated that as much as 70% of the population remains untreated.

What Are The Signs and Symptoms Of OSA?

If you, or someone you know, snores regularly and has one or more of the following symptoms, it may be OSA.

•Snoring, interrupted by pauses in breathing

•Gasping or choking during sleep

•Excessive sleepiness or fatigue during the day

•Large neck size (greater than 17″ in men; greater than 16″ in women)

•Cognitive impairment

•High blood pressure

•Obesity

•Sexual dysfunction

Importance of Sleep Apnea Syndrome


Sleep time makes up about one third of our lives. Undisturbed sleep promotes health, lowers stress, increases productivity and contributes significantly to quality of life. Unfortunately, not everyone experiences all the benefits of a good night’s sleep. The magnitude of suffering as a result of sleep apnea is nearly incomprehensible. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) deprives the sufferer of much-needed, truly restful sleep. It affects an estimated 20 million Americans and is associated with chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, heart failure, stroke, sexual dysfunction, and depression.

Sleep fragmentation, which results from OSAS can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, headaches, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, loss of productivity and accidents. The diagnosis and treatment of OSAS is a growing and vitally important field. Until medical providers learn to recognize and respond to the seriousness of sleep disorders the consequences of undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea will continue to be devastating.