Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea is potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts for more than 10 seconds during sleep.

There are mainly 3 types of sleep apnea.

Repeated episodes of complete or partial upper airway blockage during sleep.

During Acute Episode, Diaphragm and Chest muscles work harder to increase pressure to open up airway.

No Airway Blockage.

Brain fails to send signals to muscles to breathe due to instability in the respiratory control center.

Combination of the other Obstructive and Central Sleep Apnea.

Demonstrate combined symptoms at the same time.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is largely Worldwide Underdiagnosed Epidemic (prevalence similar to Diabetes ), 85% have not been diagnosed.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is More than 100 million suffer from Sleep Apnea worldwide. HIGHEST Prevalence in INDIA with 50 million population.

The cardinal symptoms of OSA are Loud snoring and Excessive daytime sleepiness. Symptoms of OSA could be at nighttime and/or during the day.

The following factors increases the risk of developing OSA

Obesity
Age Group: 45 - 60 years old.
Gender: Males : Females = 2:1; After menopause Male and Female prevalence is equal.
High Blood Pressure
Family History of OSA: 2 X higher due to shared anatomical features, similar lifestyles or common environment.
Nasal Congestion: Cold, Sinus Infection or Flu.
Smoking: 3X higher than non-smokers or people who quit.
Facial Abnormalities: Lower Jaw / Short Neck/ Large Tongue/ Large Tonsils.
Neck Circumference: >17” (Males) & > 16” (Females)