Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that occurs when the airway is partially or completely blocked during sleep. This can lead to loud snoring, disrupted sleep, and daytime sleepiness. OSA is often associated with other health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Symptoms of OSA include:

- Loud snoring

- Witnessed pauses in breathing during sleep

- Choking or gasping during sleep

- Restless sleep

- Daytime sleepiness

- Morning headaches

- Difficulty concentrating

- Irritability

- Weight gain

OSA is diagnosed with a sleep study, which is a test that records your breathing, heart rate, and oxygen levels during sleep. Treatment for OSA depends on the severity of the condition and may include lifestyle changes, oral appliances, and surgery.

OSA can be a serious condition, but it can be effectively treated. If you think you may have OSA, talk to your doctor about a sleep study.

Here are some risk factors for OSA:

- Being overweight or obese

- Having a large neck circumference

- Being male

- Having a family history of OSA

- Age over 40

- Smoking

- Alcohol use

- Nasal congestion

- Diabetes