Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a sleep disorder in which the upper airways become blocked during sleep, even though you make an effort to breathe. This leads to reduced oxygen levels in the blood and frequent awakenings during the night.
The most common symptoms of OSA are
o Loud snoring ,
o choking or gasping during sleep and
o Daytime tiredness
If left untreated, OSA can have serious health consequences, including an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and even death.
It is important to understand that OSA is a chronic condition that requires long-term treatment. Treatment options include lifestyle changes such as weight loss and abstaining from alcohol, the use of a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) device or a protrusion splint and, in complex cases, surgery to widen the upper airway.
In such advanced cases, PD Dr. Dr. Safi recommends the surgical advancement of the upper and lower jaw, a surgical technique based on the bimaxillary repositioning osteotomy that has been established for decades.
What are the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea?
In obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), the muscles at the back of the throat are unable to keep the airway open, even though you make an effort to breathe. As a result, the airway is partially or completely blocked and normal breathing is interrupted. As a result, the brain is briefly awakened several times during the night to open the airway and restore normal breathing. These interruptions in breathing are called apneas and can last from a few seconds to a minute or longer.
When the airway is blocked, the oxygen level in the blood drops and carbon dioxide builds up. This causes the brain to wake the person briefly, causing them to gasp or choke in order to open the airway and restore normal breathing. This awakening is usually so brief that sufferers do not remember it, but can occur hundreds of times a night.
As a result of these breathing interruptions, people with OSA often suffer from poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness. They may also have difficulty concentrating and mood swings and are at increased risk of traffic accidents due to sleepiness.
What are the risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea?
The most common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) include
- Loud snoring
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Daytime sleepiness or drowsiness
- Difficulty falling asleep (insomnia)
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Headache in the morning
- Difficulty staying alert and awake during the day
- Irritability or mood swings
- Depression
- Decreased sex drive
- High blood pressure
- Chest pain or palpitations
- Increased frequency of urination at night
It's important to know that not everyone who suffers from OSA has all of these symptoms, and that some people have symptoms that are not listed here. If you suspect that you have OSA, you should definitely speak to a doctor to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Health consequences of obstructive sleep apnea
There are several risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including:
Obesity: Being overweight, especially in the throat and upper airways, can increase the risk of OSA.
Age: The risk of OSA increases with age, especially from the age of 40.
Gender: Men have a higher risk of developing OSA than women.
Family history: OSA can run in the family.
Nasal congestion: Chronic nasal congestion can increase the risk of OSA.
Smoking: Smokers have a higher risk of developing OSA than non-smokers.
Alcohol and tranquilizer use: Alcohol and tranquilizers relax the muscles in the upper airways and increase the risk of OSA.
Neurological diseases: People with certain neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis have an increased risk of OSA.
Anatomical factors: Some people have naturally narrow airways. This is particularly evident in people with a receding lower jaw or a generally small upper and/or lower jaw.
o Misalignment of the jaw is considered a major cause of obstructive sleep apnea
Personal and social consequences of obstructive sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can have serious health consequences if left untreated. Some of the potential health risks associated with OSA are:
High blood pressure: OSA can lead to high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, which increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular problems.
Cardiovascular diseases: OSA is associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular problems.
Type 2 diabetes: People with OSA have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Metabolic syndrome: People with OSA have an increased risk of suffering from a number of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar and abnormal cholesterol levels.
Depression and anxiety: People with OSA are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety.
Cognitive impairment: OSA can lead to problems with memory, attention and executive functions.
Daytime sleepiness: People with OSA often suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness and drowsiness, which can affect work performance, safety and quality of life.
Motor vehicle accidents: People with OSA have an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents due to drowsy driving.
Increased risk of death: OSA is associated with an increased risk of death, particularly from cardiovascular disease.
It is important to note that OSA is a chronic condition that requires long-term treatment, and it is important to diagnose and treat the condition to avoid these serious health consequences.
In addition to the physical health risks, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can also have personal and social consequences. Some of these consequences are
Reduced quality of life: People with OSA often suffer from poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness, which can affect their ability to enjoy life and participate in activities.
Relationship problems: OSA can lead to relationship problems due to snoring, sleepiness and irritability.
Work-related problems: People with OSA may have difficulty staying awake and focused during the day, which can affect work performance and increase the risk of accidents and errors.
Economic costs: OSA can lead to increased health costs, loss of productivity and an increased risk of accidents and errors at work.
Drowsy driving: People with OSA have an increased risk of traffic accidents due to drowsy driving.
Social isolation: People with OSA may have difficulty participating in social activities due to fatigue and sleepiness.
All of these consequences can have a significant impact on individuals and society, including increased healthcare costs and reduced productivity. It is therefore important that people with OSA are diagnosed and treated to minimize these negative effects. It is also important for employers and society to recognize the consequences of untreated OSA and offer support to those affected.
Various tests can be carried out to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including
Polysomnography (PSG): This is the most common and accurate test for diagnosing OSA. It is usually performed in a sleep laboratory and involves monitoring various physiological parameters such as brain activity, eye movements, muscle activity, heart rate and breathing patterns during sleep.
Polygraphy (PG): This test is similar to PSG but can be done at home. It usually involves monitoring your breathing, oxygen levels and heart rate during sleep.
Actigraphy: In this test, a small device is worn on the wrist or ankle to monitor your sleep-wake behavior. It can be used to monitor the effects of treatment or identify patterns of sleep disturbance.
Oximetry: This test uses a small device worn on the finger to measure the oxygen content in the blood. It can be used as a screening test for OSA, but is not as accurate as PSG or PG.
A healthcare professional will review the test results and work with you to develop a treatment plan that is right for you. It is important to know that a correct diagnosis is crucial in order to receive an appropriate treatment plan and avoid the potential health consequences of untreated OSA.
- Apnea-Hypopnea Index(AHI): This is the number of apneas (complete pauses in breathing) and hypopneas (partial pauses in breathing) per hour of sleep.
o Keine/Minimale OSA: AHI < 5 pro Stunde
o Milde OSA: AHI ≥ 5, aber < 15 pro Stunde
o Mittelschwere OSA: AHI ≥ 15, aber < 30 pro Stunde
o Severe OSA: AHI ≥ 30 per hour
Oxygen saturation: This measures the oxygen content in the blood. Low oxygen saturation can indicate OSA.
Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI): This is a similar measure to the AHI, but also includes other types of breathing disorders that can disrupt sleep.
Sleep latency: This measures how long it takes to fall asleep.
Sleep efficiency: This measures the time spent sleeping compared to the total time spent in bed.
REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement): This measures the time spent in REM sleep.
Non-REM sleep: The time spent in non-REM sleep is measured here.
Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can significantly alleviate the symptoms of the condition and improve overall health. The potential benefits of OSA treatment include:
Improved sleep quality: OSA treatment can help reduce the number of apneas and hypopneas during sleep, resulting in fewer awakenings and better sleep quality.
Reduced daytime sleepiness: OSA treatment can help reduce feelings of sleepiness and fatigue during the day, leading to better energy levels and increased productivity.
Better concentration and memory: OSA treatment can help to improve cognitive functions such as concentration and memory.
Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease: OSA treatment can help reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke by normalizing oxygen levels in the blood and reducing the number of nocturnal awakenings.
Improved mood: OSA treatment can help to reduce depression and anxiety.
Reduced risk of accidents: OSA treatment can help to reduce the risk of accidents, e.g. car accidents caused by drowsiness.
Better quality of life: OSA treatment can help people feel refreshed and alert throughout the day, so they can enjoy life and participate in activities better.
It is important to realize that the effectiveness of treatment depends on the individual and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, with the right diagnosis and treatment, OSA can be successfully treated and sufferers can experience significant improvements in their overall health and quality of life.
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