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Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common breathing disorder that occurs during sleep.
It is characterized by repeated episodes of partial (hypopneas) or complete (apneas) obstruction of the upper airways, causing a temporary interruption of breathing.
Although these brief awakenings allow breathing to resume, they disrupt the sleep cycle and result in unrefreshing sleep.
Main causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
These obstructions are usually caused by:
- Excessive relaxation of the throat muscles.
- Narrowing of the upper airways, from the nose to the glottis.
During these episodes, the lack of oxygen in the blood can be significant, triggering micro-awakenings that the patient usually does not notice.
Symptoms and consequences of OSA
Loud snoring is one of the most obvious symptoms of OSA, although not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Other relevant symptoms include:
- Pauses in breathing during sleep, often observed by family members.
- Daytime fatigue, even after getting enough sleep.
- Headaches upon waking.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness, which can interfere with daily activities.
- Problems with concentration or memory.
If you experience these symptoms, it is essential to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome not only affects the quality of sleep, but is also linked to various health complications, such as:
- High blood pressure: apnea episodes cause increases in blood pressure due to lack of oxygen and micro-awakenings.
- Cardiovascular disease: OSA increases the risk of heart attacks, heart failure, and other heart disorders.
- Metabolic disorders: metabolism can be affected, increasing the risk of developing diseases such as type 2 diabetes.
- Cognitive and behavioral disorders: lack of restorative sleep affects memory and concentration and can alter behavior.
Furthermore, OSA increases the likelihood of traffic accidents due to daytime sleepiness and decreased reflexes.
Who is more likely to suffer from it?
Obstructive sleep apnea can affect anyone, including children and adolescents, although there are certain risk groups:
- Men over 65 years of age.
- Postmenopausal women.
- People with obesity, as excess weight can increase pressure on the airways.
- Patients with hypertension or those who consume excessive alcohol or tobacco.
In Spain, it is estimated that between 6% and 8% of the population suffers from this disorder, although more than 80% of those affected are undiagnosed and do not receive adequate treatment.
Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
There are different types of ventilators adapted to the needs of each patient:
- CPAP: Provides a constant, positive airflow.
- APAP: Automatically adjusts air pressure based on the patient's needs throughout the night.
- BPAP: Offers different pressures during inhalation and exhalation, suitable for patients with more complex needs.
If you think you might be suffering from sleep apnea or know someone who has the symptoms described, do not hesitate to seek medical help to get an evaluation and receive the necessary treatment.
Early intervention can make a difference in long-term health and well-being.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can children suffer from sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea in children is a breathing disorder that, as in adults, causes pauses in breathing during sleep.
In children, obstructive sleep apnea is often associated with enlarged tonsils or adenoids, although it can also be due to other factors such as obesity or craniofacial problems.
2. What is central sleep apnea and how does it differ?
Central sleep apnea is a less common type of apnea that occurs when the brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles responsible for breathing.
Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, in which the airway is blocked, in central sleep apnea there is no physical obstruction, but the patient momentarily stops breathing due to a breakdown in communication between the brain and the breathing muscles.
3. What is the difference between hypopnea and apnea?
Both apneas and hypopneas are episodes in which breathing is interrupted during sleep, but the difference lies in the severity of the obstruction:
- Apnea: Complete or near-complete airway obstruction, preventing airflow for at least 10 seconds.
- Hypopnea: Partial airway obstruction that reduces airflow by 30–50%, but does not completely block it. Although not as severe as apnea, it also causes a decrease in oxygen saturation and can disrupt sleep.Ambos episodios son perjudiciales y afectan la calidad del sueño.
4. How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
Sleep apnea is usually diagnosed through a sleep study or polysomnography.
This test measures brain activity, blood oxygen levels, eye movements, and breathing patterns while the patient sleeps.
5. Does snoring always indicate sleep apnea?
Not necessarily. Although snoring is a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, not everyone who snores has apnea.
Snoring is caused by the vibration of tissues in the throat, but it is not always accompanied by pauses in breathing.
6. Can sleep apnea be cured?
There is no definitive cure for sleep apnea, but available treatments are highly effective in controlling symptoms and improving quality of life.
Continued use of CPAP, along with lifestyle changes and, in some cases, surgical interventions, can significantly reduce apnea episodes and their consequences.
More info
- Sleep apnoea treatments the most common treatment for sleep apnoea: continuous positive airway pressure through the nose with a ventilation machine.
- CPAP for sleep apnoea A compressor emits a flow of air that exerts positive pressure on the airways through a mask.
- Patient guide CPAP machine patient manual
OSA treatment
The most common treatment for sleep apnoea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) delivered through a ventilator that fits into the nose. It consists of a mask attached to a turbine that delivers air at a set pressure, preventing the obstruction of the upper respiratory airways.
OXIGEN salud offers different kinds of ventilators to its patients, CPAP, APAP and BPAP, depending on which is the most convenient for their OSA treatment.
Sleep apnoea treatment
The most common treatment is continuous positive airway pressure delivered through a ventilator that fits into the nose.
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