Ear Nose and Throat

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Most common type of sleep apnea is caused by partial obstructions of the upper airway. It is considered by repetitive episodes of paused breathing during sleep, despite the effort to breathe, and is usually allied with a decrease in blood oxygen saturation. In the most common form this follows loud snuffling. There may be an unpleasant or snorting sound as breathing resumes. As it disrupts sleep, those affected are often sleepy or tired during the day. In children it may cause problems in school leads to hyperactivity. There are three forms of sleep apnea, central (CSA), obstructive (OSA), and a combination of the two. OSA is the most common form. Risk factors for OSA include being overweight, a family condition, allergies, and enlarged tonsils. In OSA, breathing is interrupted by a blockage of airflow, while in CSA breathing stops due to a lack of effort to breathe. People with sleep apnea are often not aware as they have it. Often it is picked up by a family member. Sleep apnea is often identified with an overnight sleep study.