• What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) ?

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea is when a person stops breathing repeatedly during sleep.
• Breathing stops because the airway collapses and prevents air from getting in to the lungs.
• Sleep patterns are disrupted, resulting in excessive sleepiness or fatigue during the day.

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• What causes the airway to collapse during sleep?

• Extra tissue in the back of the airway such as large tonsils.
• Decrease in the tone of the muscles holding the airway open.
• The tongue falling back and closing off the airway.

• How many people have Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

• 4 in 100 middle-aged men and 2 in 100 middle-aged women have Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
• Most OSA sufferers remain undiagnosed and untreated.
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea is as common as adult asthma.

• What happens if Obstructive Sleep Apnea is not treated?

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease and heart attack
• Stroke
• Fatigue- related motor vehicle and work accidents
• Decreased quality of life.

• What are the signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea?

• Snoring, interrupted by pauses in breathing • Gasping or choking during sleep • Restless sleep • Excessive sleepiness or fatigue during the day. • Poor judgement or concentration • Irritability •Memory loss • High blood pressure • Depression • Obesity • Large neck size (>17" in men; >16" in women) • Crowded airway • Morning headache • Sexual dysfunction • Frequent urination at night.