Patient Education (cont.)

Causes:
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax. These muscles support structures including the soft palate, the uvula — a triangular piece of tissue hanging from the soft palate — the tonsils, and the tongue.

When the muscles relax, your airway narrows or closes as you breathe in and breathing may be inadequate for 10 to 20 seconds. This may lower the level of oxygen in your blood. Your brain senses this inability to breathe and briefly rouses you from sleep so that you can reopen your airway. This awakening is usually so brief that you don't remember it.

You can awaken with a transient shortness of breath that corrects itself quickly, within one or two deep breaths, although this sequence is rare. You may make a snorting, choking or gasping sound. This pattern can repeat itself 20 to 30 times or more each hour, all night long. These disruptions impair your ability to reach the desired deep, restful phases of sleep, and you'll probably feel sleepy during your waking hours.

People with obstructive sleep apnea may not be aware that their sleep was interrupted. In fact, many people with this type of sleep apnea think they sleep well all night.

Additional Information:
For additional information about OSA such as Risk Factors, Treatments, and Prevention) please visit the OSA Mayo Clinic webpage.