Definition:
Obstructive sleep apnea a sleeping disorder in which a sleeping person's breathing is obstructed by a physical block to the airflow despite the effort to breathe.
Diagnosis:
Obstructive sleep apnea of individuals are diagnosed based on their medical history and lab tests.
Treatment:
Individuals with obstructive sleep apnea is treated in various ways depending on their medical history, the specific cause of the obstruction, and the severity of the disorder. Children suffering from obstructive sleep apnea usually have chronically enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Thus, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy is performed, which can cure the disorder and allow the children to develop and grow normally. Treatment for adults vary. Some treatments may focus on lifestyle changes such as avoiding alcohol, smoking, and losing weight. Medicines that relax the central nervous system should also be avoided. Alternative treatments such as breathing exercises or gargling with salt water are also used.
Symptoms and Signs:
Individuals suffering from obstructive sleep apnea may be sleepy at daytime (unexplained), sleep restlessly or snore loudly. Others may also have insomnia, mood swings, or morning headaches, among others.
Causes:
There are various factors that could cause the disorder such as decrease in muscle tone, a narrowed airway, or obesity, which results in increase of soft tissue around the airway. Some individuals with the disorder may have more than one of these factors.
The information on this site is for research purposes only and can not substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Ailments.com is not run by doctors and does not engage in the practice of medicine. Our site is not a medical authority, it is just a research tool for you to use in preparation for consulting with a doctor. We can not guarantee our information is accurate or up to date. Even if a statement made about a medical condition is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms, so you should always consult a doctor. Nothing on our site should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.
