Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

 Most common type of sleep apnea and is caused by complete or partial obstructions of the upper airway. It is characterized by repetitive episodes of shallow or paused breathing during sleep, despite the effort to breathe, and is usually associated with a reduction in blood oxygen saturation. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep. In the most common form this follows loud snoring. There may be a choking or snorting sound as breathing resumes. As it disrupts normal sleep, those affected are often sleepy or tired during the day. In children it may cause problems in school or hyperactivity. There are three forms of sleep apnea, obstructive (OSA), central (CSA), and a combination of the two. OSA is the most common form. Risk factors for OSA include being overweight, a family history of the 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 they have it. Often it is picked up by a family member. Sleep apnea is often diagnosed with an overnight sleep study.