What causes OSA?
And Do you suffer from OSA?
OSA
Obstructive Sleep disorder (OSA) is a breathing disorder that affects the sufferer when they are asleep. It happens due to the narrowing or total closure of the airway causing breathing to stop. The brain detects the lack of oxygen and prompts a momentary arousal to draw breath.
Most OSA sufferers may not be aware they have this problem however may experience hundreds of apnea episodes every night.
Snoring can be a symptom of OSA
When you fall asleep your muscles relax, including those that control the tongue and throat. The soft tissue at the back of your throat can sag, narrowing the airway. Incoming air then makes the tissue at the rear roof of the mouth (the soft palate), the flap of skin hanging from the palate (uvula) and the throat vibrate – a sound we know as snoring.
Not all people that snore have OSA however loud snoring may be an early indication and should be monitored for further symptoms
