How do you know if you have OSA?

“Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleep-related breathing disorder that involves a decrease or complete halt in airflow despite an ongoing effort to breathe. It occurs when the muscles relax during sleep, causing the soft tissue in the back of the throat to collapse and block the upper airway. This leads to partial reductions (hypopneas) and complete pauses (apneas) in breathing that last at least 10 seconds during sleep. Most pauses last between 10 and 30 seconds, but some may persist for one minute or longer. This can lead to abrupt reductions in blood oxygen saturation, with oxygen falling as much as 40% or more in severe cases.

Chronic snoring and pauses in breathing, usually noticed by partners
Disturbed sleep
Frequent daytime grogginess
Lack of concentration

Beyond a reduced quality of life and wellbeing, sleep-disordered breathing can lead to many adverse health conditions.

If your overnight sleep study indicates that you have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), then you may be prescribed Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy.