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Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) involves breathing pauses during sleep, affecting oxygen levels and sleep quality. Treatment includes CPAP, oral appliances, or surgery. Weight loss and changing sleep position can improve symptoms.

Author: Anette Fransson • Specialist in Orthodontics • PhD
Reviewed by: Anna Westerlund • Dental Specialist • Professor • Department of Orthodontics • Gothenburg
11 min read
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    This article is based on an original article in Swedish which can be found here

    BACKGROUND

    Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with, but can also occur without snoring. It is caused by an obstruction of the airways, which affects saturation by causing blockages in the airways. Untreated snoring can often develop into obstructive sleep apnea.

    If there is a combination with subjective complaints, the term SYNDROME is added to OSA, i.e., obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

    In addition to obstructive apnea as a cause of sleep apnea, there are central apneas as well as a combination of obstructive and central apneas, which are not covered in this article.

    Apneas affect the patient through arousals, which disrupt the patient's sleep. Deep sleep is reduced due to frequent awakenings. Blood oxygen decreases when breathing stops.

    Untreated sleep apnea results in disturbed sleep, which can ultimately lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, or heart attack, impaired cognitive function, reduced quality of life, daytime sleepiness, increased risk of traffic accidents, increased healthcare costs, etc. Traffic accidents are 2 to 4 times more common in untreated OSA patients, and >80% of OSA patients in Sweden are estimated to remain undiagnosed or untreated. High blood pressure and cardiovascular mortality are more common in untreated OSA patients.

    The partner may often experience disturbed sleep due to apneas and abrupt snoring sound from the affected partner, which can be frightening and create anxiety about sleeping themselves. A combination of apneas and abrupt snoring sounds disturbs the partner more than a steady sound of snoring.

    Snoring, see especially article.

    Prevalence

    Early figures, published more than 30 years ago, showed that for individuals between 30 and 60 years old, the prevalence of OSA (AHI>5) was 9% in women and 24% in men. The prevalence of OSAS was 2% in women and 4% in men. However, it is widely known that the average weight of the population has increased since then. Likely, the frequency of OSAS is much higher today. Later studies have shown that among whites in overweight countries, about 8% are affected. A clear correlation is seen in women between age, overweight, and high blood pressure, but not daytime sleepiness.

    Etiology

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