- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common chronic disorder that often requires lifelong care. It occurs when the throat muscles intermittently relax and block the airway during sleep.
- People with OSA have an airway that is more narrow than normal, usually at the base of the tongue and palate. When lying flat, the palate is above the air passage. When the pharyngeal muscles (muscles of the pharynx or throat) relax the palate can fall backwards and this can obstruct the airway.
- The primary features of OSA in adults include irregular and abnormal respiratory patterns during sleep, including obstructive apneas, hypopneas, or respiratory effort-related arousals; daytime symptoms attributable to disrupted sleep, such as sleepiness, fatigue, or poor concentration; and signs of disturbed sleep, such as snoring, restlessness, and resuscitative snorts.
- OSA is estimated to affect about 4% of men and 2% of women. In one study of people over 18 years of age, OSA was estimated to develop in 1.5 % of people per year over the 5 year study. It is probably more common than either of these numbers because the population is becoming more obese, and obesity worsens obstructive sleep apnea.
- It has been estimated that only 10% of people with obstructive sleep apnea are currently receiving treatment.
