What is Sleep Apnea | General CPAP FAQ

WHAT IS SLEEP APNEA?

Obstructive sleep apnea (also known as OSA or sleep apnoea) is a sleep disorder. Patients suffering from sleep apnea experience episodes where they stop breathing during sleep due to a partial or complete blockage of the airway. This loss of air flow to the lungs can last for 10 seconds or longer. A narrow throat or obstructed airway is likely to vibrate during sleep, and may cause snoring. These episodes of obstruction can happen many times a night, triggering the body to wake up, sometimes unknowingly to the person, for a brief period and restart the breathing process. When left untreated, the constant interruptions to breathing and disturbance of sleep may leave the patient feeling exhausted, sluggish, and moody. Fortunately, therapy options are available, with CPAP being the most effective in successfully treating OSA.