Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition in which you stop breathing during sleep. Dr. Elseweifi treats OSA with oral appliances.
How Does Obstructive Sleep Anea Happen?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) happens when the soft tissues of the airway collapse while you are sleeping. This cause narrowning of the airway and reduces the amount of air passing into the lungs. Narrowing of the airway also causes snoring by as the tissues in the back of the throat vibrate. When the air cannot get into the lungs, you suffer from lack of oxygen (apnea or hypopnea).
Who is at risk of Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?
Some conditions may increase the risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea. However, not all people with obstructive sleep apnea have these risk factors.
- Obesity
- Hypertension
- Male with neck size of 17 inches or more.
- Female with neck size of 16 inches or more.
- Male over the age of 40.
- Female over the age of 50.
Common symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea:
- Snoring (Only some snorers have OSA, but most patients who have OSA snore.)
- Stopping breathing during sleep.
- Frequent awakenings during the night,
- Difficulty staying asleep throughout the night,
- Morning headaches.
- Trouble concentrating.
- Feeling tired and sleepy during the day. This sleepiness can cause accidents at work, poor work performance and car crashes.
Children and Obstructive Sleep Apnea:
Children can have Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to large tonsils or narrow airways.
Complications of Obstructive Sleep Apnea:
Lack of oxygen and frequent night time awakening caused by Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have negative consequences for your health. These may include:
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Pre-diabetes and diabetes
- Depression
How is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
Testing is done when a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is suspected; it consists of polysomnography (sleep test). OSA can only be diagnosed after a sleep test. A sleep test measures the sleep quality by recording bioelectrical activities of the body. Dr. Elseweifi offers home sleep test.
How is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treated?
Positive Airway Pressure Therapy, or PAP therapy for severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A PAP machine provides an airstream through a mask. The airstream prevents the airway from closing.
Oral appliances are used for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. An oral appliances for OSA is worn during sleep like a sports mouth guard. The oral appliance holds the bottom jaw forward to keep the airway open and prevent the tongue from falling back and closing the airway.
Surgery to reduce the tissues in the throat.