Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
OSA is a sleep-related condition. It is called OSA because:
OSA is a very common problem, but is still poorly recognised by doctors and healthcare professionals. When we sleep, the muscles at the back of our throat relax. In some people the muscles over-relax, causing the throat to narrow. This can reduce the airflow during breathing and results in snoring.
If the throat completely closes (obstructs), you stop breathing temporarily - this is called an apnoea and leads to a drop in level of oxygen.
The brain starts the person breathing again: some people wake up briefly, others are not aware of what is happening. Breathing often restarts with a gasp, and the pattern repeats.
In severe cases this cycle happens hundreds of times a night. This can cause the person to feel very sleepy during the day and affect their driving, because their sleep is being disrupted at night. Repeated falls in oxygen can also lead to an increase in stress hormones, and OSA is more common in people with medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, strokes and irregular heart rhythms. OSA tends to be more common in middle-aged, older, overweight men, but can also occur in normal weight, younger women.
OSA can be easily treated and can significantly improve symptoms. There is increasing evidence to suggest that treatment of OSA may improve outcomes in patients with diabetes and heart disease.
The STOPBANG questionnaire is commonly used to screen for OSA. If you answer yes to 3 or more questions, you should ask your GP to refer you to a sleep specialist like Professor Man.
To learn more about OSA, please visit the British Lung Foundation's website or NHS Choices.
- Obstructive = obstruction of the airway in the throat
- Sleep = occurs during sleep
- Apnoea = means ‘without breath’ - the person stops breathing
OSA is a very common problem, but is still poorly recognised by doctors and healthcare professionals. When we sleep, the muscles at the back of our throat relax. In some people the muscles over-relax, causing the throat to narrow. This can reduce the airflow during breathing and results in snoring.
If the throat completely closes (obstructs), you stop breathing temporarily - this is called an apnoea and leads to a drop in level of oxygen.
The brain starts the person breathing again: some people wake up briefly, others are not aware of what is happening. Breathing often restarts with a gasp, and the pattern repeats.
In severe cases this cycle happens hundreds of times a night. This can cause the person to feel very sleepy during the day and affect their driving, because their sleep is being disrupted at night. Repeated falls in oxygen can also lead to an increase in stress hormones, and OSA is more common in people with medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, strokes and irregular heart rhythms. OSA tends to be more common in middle-aged, older, overweight men, but can also occur in normal weight, younger women.
OSA can be easily treated and can significantly improve symptoms. There is increasing evidence to suggest that treatment of OSA may improve outcomes in patients with diabetes and heart disease.
The STOPBANG questionnaire is commonly used to screen for OSA. If you answer yes to 3 or more questions, you should ask your GP to refer you to a sleep specialist like Professor Man.
- S (Snore): Do you snore loudly (louder than talking or heard through closed doors)?
- T (Tired): Do you feel tired, fatigued or sleepy during the day?
- O (Observed): Has anyone observed you stop breathing during sleep?
- P (Blood Pressure): Do you have or are being treated for high blood pressure?
- B (Body Mass Index): BMI equal to or greater than 35?
- A (Age): Age greater than 50?
- N (Neck): Neck circumference greater than 40cm (i.e. 16 inches or greater)?
- G (Gender): Are you male?
To learn more about OSA, please visit the British Lung Foundation's website or NHS Choices.