Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA): Risk Factors, Symptoms, Complications

OSA is a sleep disorder which can be potentially harmful as it causes a person to repeatedly stop and restart breathing during sleep. There are many types of sleep apnoea, but OSA is the most common manifestation which occurs due to the muscles in the throat relaxing and blocking the airway.

Risk factors

Any person can develop this issue but there are factors which put people at a higher risk of developing OSA.

• Gender - men are 2 times more likely than women to develop OSA.
• A family history of first-degree relatives with sleep apnoea. 
• Narrowed airway - this could be an inherited trait or a person could be suffering from enlarged adenoids or tonsils.
• Excess weight - around 50% of people with OSA are overweight and these patients have an increased neck circumference which can obstruct the airways. It's important to take note that even thin people can develop OSA.
• Chronic nasal congestion - this issue makes a person 2 times more likely to develop OSA.
• Hypertension - OSA occurs commonly in patients with high blood pressure.
• Asthma - research has shown a link between this issue and OSA.
• Diabetes - OSA is more common in these patients.
• Smoking - increases the chance of developing OSA.

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Symptoms

The following can be experienced by patients struggling with OSA.

• Waking up choking or gasping for air.
• Loud snoring which disrupts the patient's sleep or that of other people.
• Increased daytime sleepiness which can result in falling asleep while working or even when driving. 

Complications

• Cardiovascular issues - OSA leads to decreased oxygen levels in the body and this can result in a patient's blood pressure being elevated which, in turn, increases the risk of developing heart diseases such as heart failure, strokes or heart attacks. Men who are diagnosed with OSA have an increased risk of developing heart failure whereas women with OSA don't. The risk for arrythmias is also increased with OSA.
• Daytime sleepiness and the resulting issues, which have been mentioned.
• Eye issues - OSA has been linked with the possible development of glaucoma. 
• Certain medications - drugs such as sedatives, narcotics and anaesthetic medications may worsen symptoms of OSA. 
• Post-surgical worsening of symptoms - occurs when a patient has been lying on their back for a prolonged period of time after surgery.
• Sleep deprivation - both the patient, their partners and/or children can be affected here as loud snoring can hamper all the mentioned individuals' sleeping patterns.

Management

Lifestyle changes can be incorporated to improve the symptoms of OSA. These can include the following:

• Losing weight.
• Regular physical exertion.
• If using alcohol, then consume less or even stop drinking.
• Stopping smoking.
• Rather sleep on the sides and not the back.
• If applicable, use allergy drugs or nasal decongestants for the short-term.

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There are certain therapies for patients with OSA and they include the following:

• Mouthpieces - these help to keep the throat open, thrust the jaw forward or place the tongue in a different position in order to minimize symptoms of mild to moderate OSA.
• CPAP - continuous positive airway pressure is delivered through a machine via a mask which fits tightly, but comfortably, over the the nose or nose and mouth.