Are you at Risk of OSA?
Sleep Apnea Quiz
- Do You Snore? Yes or No
- Are you excessively tired during the day? Yes or No
- Have you been told you stop breathing at night? Yes or No
- Do you have a history of high blood pressure? Yes or No
- Is your neck size greater than 17 inches (male) or 16 inches (female) Yes or No
If you answered YES to two or more of these questions, you may be at risk for OSA.
OSA has been proven to be linked to the following health conditions:
- High Blood Pressure
- Insomnia
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
Understanding Sleep Apnea (OSA)
People who have OSA stop breathing repeatedly during sleep because their airway collapses. As a result, air is prevented from getting into the lungs.
Key signs and symptoms include: excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, or gasping or choking during sleep. Other common symptoms include: Grogginess and morning headaches, frequent urination at night and depression and irritability. (Phillips Respironics Education)
What happens if I have OSA and I don’t treat in properly?
People who do not seek diagnosis and treatment for OSA may increase their risk for the following:
- High Blood Pressure
- Irregular heart rhythms or hear disease.
- Heart Attack
- Stoke
- Driving or work-related accidents.
- Decreased quality of life.
- Increased death rate
How is OSA Diagnosed?
- Discuss sleep complaints and symptoms with your doctor.
- If a sleep disorder is suspected, your doctor will refer you to a sleep specialist for evaluation.
- An overnight diagnostic sleep study, known as a polysomnogram, or PSG, can be done in the lab or at home and is used to determine the type and severity of the sleep disorder, as well as appropriate treatment.
- Titration Study on CPAP
What is the treatment for OSA?
- Positive airway pressure PAP therapy is the treatment of choice for OSA.
- PAP therapy provides a flow of air pressure through your nose using a mask.
- The air pressure prevents airway collapse, allowing you to breathe freely while you sleep.
- PAP therapy is noninvasive and can alleviate the symptoms of OSA when used as prescribed.
- Other treatments include positional therapy, dental devices and surgery.
Article Provided by:
A Turning Leaf Home Medical