What is Sleep Apnea exactly? What is OSA

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. Patient suffering from OSA experience pauses/interruption in their breathing dozen to a hundered times while sleeping at night causing them to wake up abruptly and snore loudly as breathing becomes difficult for them. These intermittent gaps in breathing are known as apnea episodes and occur during the collapse of upper airway, preventing the air to reach the lungs

Prevalence

Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in Indian Population is approximately 4.9-19.7 % in men and 2.1-7.4 % in females. Out of them only 4 % go to the doctor with the symptoms, while 75% of cases of OSA still remain undiagnosed in society. In India, almost about 34 million or more may be suffering from OSA.

What happens to body during these apnea episodes?

Apnea sets a cascade of problems

When breathing becomes difficult, oxygen level plunges, activating the sympathetic nervous system, which controls the fight and flight response.

Adrenaline level increases,constricting the blood vessels, to increase the blood pressure and heart rate.

Snoring can occur as body tries to pull oxygen, making the body work at night instead it being a period for relaxation and restoration of the body.

As the oxygen reaching the lungs becomes less, the sympathetic nervous system makes the chest to pull in air and work even though oxygen is not reaching. This leads to distortion and in long run if left untreated can lead to permanent structural and functional changes in the body.