What is OSA? Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a debilitating and often life-threatening condition that affects 18 million people in the U.S. alone. OSA occurs when tissue in the upper airways blocks the breathing passages.

The consequences of obstructive sleep apnea range from disruptive to life-threatening. OSA undiagnosed and untreated can lead to Life-threatening consequences: congestive heart failure, irregular heart rhythms, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and fatal car accidents.

Nearly 4% of men and 2% of women over the age of 35 are diagnosed with sleep apnea, according to the National Institues of Health.

How do I Know if I Have Sleep Apnea? It is estimated that as many as 90% of all OSA cases remain undiagnosed. This is largely due to the fact that sufferers are unaware of their symptoms. In fact people with sleep apnea usually do not remember waking up during the night.

What are the Symptoms of OSA? Common symptoms of sleep apnea include excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, irritability and  depression, snoring, heartburn, awakening not rested in the morning, and sexual dysfunction.

Can OSA be Treated? OSA can be treated with a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, which prevents the throat tissue from collapsing during sleep.  In rare cases, surgery to reduce throat tissue is needed. Some dental appliances can help move the jaw forward or prevent the tongue from sliding back to keep the airway open.

After a patient is evaluated and Sleep Apnea is suspected, some form of sleep study would be recommended to establish a diagnosis. The Diagnosis of OSA should be made by a Licensed Health Care Physician such as your primary care physician, pulmonologist, neurologist or other physician with specialty training in sleep disorders.