🌙 Sleep Apnea?

A sleep-related breathing disorder that interrupts airflow during sleep.

• Types:
  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – throat muscles relax, blocking the airway.
  • Central sleep apnea (CSA) – brain fails to signal breathing muscles.
  • Complex sleep apnea – combination of OSA and CSA.

🛏️ Symptoms

• Loud snoring
• Breathing pauses noticed by a partner
• Gasping or choking during sleep
• Morning headaches
• Daytime sleepiness and irritability
• Difficulty concentrating

⚠️ Causes & Risk Factors

• OSA causes: Relaxed throat muscles, obesity, enlarged tonsils, narrowed airway.
• CSA causes: Heart failure, stroke, opioid use, neurological issues.
• Risk factors:
  • Excess weight
  • Older age
  • Male sex
  • Smoking and alcohol
  • Family history

🩺 Diagnosis

• Polysomnography (sleep study) – overnight lab test.
• Home sleep test – simplified version for OSA detection.

💊 Treatment Options

• CPAP therapy – continuous positive airway pressure keeps airway open.
• Oral appliances – reposition jaw/tongue.
• Lifestyle changes – weight loss, avoiding alcohol, better sleep hygiene.
• Surgery – nasal or throat procedures for airway obstruction.
• Medication – limited role, mainly for CSA.