OSA Full Form

OSA is known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea. 

What is OSA? 

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a  kind of sleep apnea and is described by a consistent act of complete or limited blockage of the upper airway passage during sleep resulting in making effort to breathe. It occurs often due to a lack of blood oxygen congestion.  The term obstructive sleep apnea condition or obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea disorder are known as OSA when it is related to symptoms during the daytime (for example unnecessary daytime sleepiness, lack of reasoning functions). Symptoms might be available for quite a long time or even a very long time without recognition, People who sleep alone (who don’t have a partner to be observed with this disorder) might not get noticed about these symptoms. 

Signs and Symptoms: 

Here are some major signs and symptoms which people generally face during this disorder. 

• Daytime sleepiness

• Loud snoring 

• Noticing the occurrence of stopping of breathing during sleep.

• Sore throat and dry mouth during morning time right after waking up. 

• Early morning headaches. 

• Lack of concentration.

• Nighttime sweating 

• High blood pressure

• Lack of sexual desire. 

In this case of Children, the same symptoms have been identified as adults such as restlessness, fatigue, etc. Obesity plays a vital role in creating hindrance in sleep which leads to OSA ( Obstructive Sleep Apnea). Obesity in children is more likely to develop this condition. 

Causes: 

Obstructive sleep apnea happens when the muscles in the back of your throat ease up to make normal breathing. These muscles hold up structures including the back of the roof of your mouth (soft palate), the triangular piece of tissue hanging from the soft palate (uvula), the tonsils and the tongue. Ultimately, when the muscles ease, your airway blocks while breathing. This may reduce the level of oxygen in your blood and cause the development of carbon dioxide. 

Your brain detects this weakened breathing and quickly stimulates you from sleep so that you can reopen your airway. You can awaken with lack of breath that rectifies itself rapidly, within once or twice deep long breaths. You may snore, choke, or wheeze. Individuals with obstructive sleep apnea may not know that their sleep was creating a hindrance. In fact, many people believe that they slept well all night. 

Risk Factors: 

OSA symptoms can be developed and found in any stage in anyone. Certain factors are mentioned here which probably can put you at increased risk.

• Contracted Airway: 

You may have genetically contracted airways or your tonsils become enlarged which create obstruction on airway passage. 

• Excess Weight: 

Often but not all people are affected with OSA. Medical terms for those people who are facing hypothyroidism and polycystic Ovary Syndrome can also be an important factor of OSA.  

• High Blood Pressure: 

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is somewhat common in people with hypertension. 

• Smoking: 

            Smoking is the major factor of OSA.

• Diabetes: 

OSA may be affected more often with diabetic people. 

• Asthma: 

Asthma is associated with the risk of obstructive sleep Apnea. 

• History of Sleep Apnea: 

If you have a family history of OSA, then it might get affected by people as in hereditary.

• Nasal Congestion: 

Obstructive rest apnea happens twice as regularly in the individuals who have continuous nasal congestion around night time. This might be because of narrowed airways. 

When to Seek Medical Help?

Consult an immediate medical help, if your partner finding some below factors:  

• Wheezing, snoring enough to distract your sleep from others. 

• Waking up with wheezing or choking. 

• Irregular daytime drowsiness, which leads you to fall asleep while any working condition like driving, watching or reading something.

• Consult with your doctor if you are observing or your partner noticed loud snoring. In OSA, snoring usually is loudest when you sleep at your back. 

• Get some information about any sleep issue from your doctor that leaves you constantly exhausted and tired.

Treatments: 

Here are some brief descriptions of the latest as well as standard therapies available. 

Latest treatment of OSA: 

• Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation: This is a different method of treating OSA, a small device is surgically put in the chest and can be turned on and off periodically. When you turn on the device, you will be able to monitor your breathing.

• Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure:   

Through this method of treatment (EPAP), disposable adhesive valves are placed over the nose while sleeping, this helps in getting easy airway passage with any obstruction.

Standard Treatment for OSA:

• Positive Airway Pressure Therapy: 

IN his PAP method treatment therapy, a patient needs to wear a full face mask which sends pressurized air to the upper airway. 

• Oral Pressure Therapy: 

This therapy doesn’t need any full-face mask treatment because here a patient needs a mouthpiece with tubing and a small vacuum. During night time, the light vacuum shuffles the tongue and keeps the airway open.  

• Oral Appliances: 

This is another method of treatment. The device looks like a mouthguard and is worn during nighttime. These are fixed by the dentist who is trained in sleep medicines. 

• Surgery: 

Surgeries can take place at that time when you are facing any facial abnormalities which lead to OSA. 

• Behavioural Treatments: 

Any mild form of OSA, if you do a slight change in your lifestyle sleep habits it would be much easier to get rid of it.