Also known as: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which the upper airway repeatedly becomes blocked during sleep, reducing or stopping airflow. This causes brief awakenings throughout the night, often without the person being aware. Left untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and other health problems, but effective treatments like CPAP therapy are available.
People with Sleep Apnea often experience the following symptoms.
Certain factors may increase your likelihood of developing Sleep Apnea.
See a doctor if you or your bed partner notices loud snoring with pauses in breathing, if you wake up choking or gasping, or if you experience excessive daytime sleepiness despite sleeping enough hours. A sleep study can confirm the diagnosis. Untreated sleep apnea increases cardiovascular risk, so evaluation is important even if symptoms seem mild.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.