What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a potentially serious sleep disorder. It causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep. OSA occurs when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep. A noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring.
What happens if OSA is not treated?
People who do not seek diagnosis and effective treatment for OSA can be at increased risk for:
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
- Stroke
- Fatigue-related motor vehicle accidents and work accidents
- Decreased quality of life
- Sexual Dysfunction
What treatments are available for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
If you are diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) you can get relief by using CPAP or BiPAP devices. The most common treatment is the use of CPAP equipment which treats OSA by providing a gentle flow of positive-pressure air through a nasal mask or full face mask to keep the airway open during sleep.
What is CPAP & BiPAP?
CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (pronounced see-PAP). BiPAP stands for Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (pronounced by-PAP). Both are devices that are commonly used for the treatment of OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea).
What are the Benefits of CPAP Therapy?
- Breathing becomes regular and snoring stops
- Oxygen level in the blood becomes normal
- Restful sleep is restored
- Quality of life is improved
- Risk for high blood pressure, heart attack or disease, stroke, and vehicular or work accidents are reduced.