Ontario Home Health




Ostomy Supplies Work & Sport Bracing Aids for Daily Living Incontinence Control Compression Therapy Med/Surgical Supplies Specialty Dressings Bathroom Safety Mobility Fitness Therapy Oxygen Therapy CPAP Therapy Enteral Feeding Rental Equipment Custom Installations Communication Aids Respiratory Supplies	C.P.A.P. Therapy Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a treatable disorder in which a person stops breathing during sleep, often hundreds of times during the night. The muscles of the upper airway or throat relax, resulting in an obstruction that can last up to 60 seconds. These pauses are often followed by gasping, snoring, and often thrashing around. Left untreated, OSA can seriously threaten health and well-being. Although snoring can be harmless, even if very loud, snoring that is interrupted by periods of silence often followed by choking or loud snorting sounds may be evidence of sleep apnea. During periods of airway obstruction, the body's oxygen levels may fall. This may last from a few seconds to over one minute causing the brain to awake from restful sleep and regain control of the airway. This action opens the airway and returns the body's oxygen levels to normal. Over the long term, this cycle of events can result in serious harm to your health. If you experience heavy snoring, daytime fatigue, or have been told that you stop breathing during sleep, you may suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea. It is believed that as many as 20% of the adult population have at least mild OSA. As many as 4-5% of adults are known to suffer moderate to severe OSA with accompanying daytime symptoms. The following signs and symptoms may indicate the presence of OSA: Snoring with pauses in breathing Excessive daytime sleepiness Memory loss High blood pressure Restless sleep Morning headaches Depression Irritability Gasping or choking with sleep Difficulty with mental function Individuals having one or more of the following are at increased risk for OSA Family history of OSA Obesity Large neck (short, thick) - neck circumference > 16" in women or > 17" in men Recessed chin Male Abnormalities in the structure of upper airway (large soft palate and/or tongues, narrow airway, enlarged tonsils and/or uvula) Ethnicity (African Americans, Mexicans, Pacific Islanders) Smoking - swelling of the mucous membrane of the nose and upper airway causes narrowing of the airway Alcohol use - relaxation of the tissues in the upper airway Sedatives Hypothyroidism When OSA is permitted to continue untreated, the following conditions may develop: High blood pressure heart attack Stroke Car accidents and work-related accidents Poor quality of life Click here for treatment and more information on OSA Take me back to Respiratory Therapy page