Sleep Disorders
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a serious sleep disorder where the airway becomes partially or completely blocked multiple times during the night, causing temporary pauses in breathing. This disruption lowers oxygen levels and prevents restful sleep.
Key Features of OSA:
- Can significantly impact sleep quality and overall health.
- Often accompanied by loud snoring and gasping for air during sleep.
Key Features of OSA:
- Mild: 5–15 episodes per hour
- Moderate: 15–30 episodes per hour
- Severe: 30 or more episodes per hour
Common Symptoms of OSA:
- Loud snoring with pauses in breathing
- Gasping or choking while sleeping
- Frequent nighttime awakenings
- Feeling tired even after a full night’s sleep
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating, irritability, and mood swings
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
Who is at Risk?
Certain factors can increase the likelihood of developing OSA:
- Weight & Neck Size: Overweight individuals or those with a larger neck circumference are at higher risk.
- Gender: More common in men than women.
- Airway Structure: A narrow airway, large tonsils, high palatal arches, or nasal blockages can contribute.
- Family History: Genetics can play a role.
- Lifestyle Factors: Smoking and alcohol consumption increase the risk.
Health Risks of Untreated OSA
If left untreated, OSA can contribute to serious health conditions such as:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
Diagnosing OSA
Diagnosis typically involves:
- Medical History Review
- Oral Examination
- Sleep Study (Polysomnography)
Treatment Options for OSA
CPAP Therapy (Gold Standard)
- A small machine delivers pressurized air through a mask while you sleep.
- Keeps airways open, prevents pauses in breathing, and reduces snoring.
- Helps maintain optimal oxygen levels, improving sleep quality and energy.
Oral Appliance Therapy
- Ideal for mild to moderate OSA or for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP.
- A custom-made mouthpiece that repositions the jaw or tongue to keep the airway open.
Surgery (For Severe Cases)
- Recommended when structural issues prevent other treatments from working.
- Can involve removing excess tissue or repositioning the jaw to improve airflow.
Airway Orthodontics
- Orthodontics can help open the airway by fixing how the teeth and jaws fit together.
- Braces, expanders or oral appliance to advance lower jaw canmake more room for better breathing, especially in kids.
- Orthodontists team up with sleep doctors to find the right solution
for each person.