Sleep Apnea Zone.com - Sleep Apnea

Introduction
Sleep apnea syndrome is an extremely common medical condition affecting close to 10% of population ( with male predominance ). For a condition that is seen in one out of 10 to 11 people it has not got the importance that is due from both the medical fraternity and the public.

OSA occurs in approximately 2% of women and 4% of men over the age of 35.

What is sleep apnea syndrome?
It is a condition characterised by intermittent cessation of airflow at the nose and mouth for atleast 10 seconds during sleep. It is very common to see people stop breathing for 30 - 40 seconds during sleep ( try doing it when you are awake )

If a person has such apneic spells ( having no airflow at mouth / nose for >= 10 seconds ) for more than 5 times per hour of sleep - he is diagnosed to have obstructive sleep apnea. It is common in middle age persons.

Types
	Central Sleep Apnea
	This type occurs when there is a transient decrease in the drive from the brain to the respiratory muscle.
	Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
	If there is an impedance to the passage of air through respiratory muscles due to occlusion or narrowing of oropharyngeal airway tract. Here the drive from the brain to the respiratory muscles is normal and it usually is associated with heavy snoring.
	Mixed Apneas
	Starts as central apnea followed by an obstructive apnea of the 3 types OSA is the most common ( > 90% )

People with sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, often for a minute or longer, and as many as hundreds of times during a single night.

What causes obstructive sleep apnea?
What are the features of OSA?
How do we diagnose?
What if i have OSA?



	Introduction

	Types

	Causes of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

	Features of OSA

	Diagnosis

	What if i have OSA?