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What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a condition that shows up when you’re sleeping and it’s caused when your breathing becomes shallow and you might even briefly stop breathing. In some people, it can occur many times a night and it happens when something partially or completely blocks your upper airway when you’re sleeping. When your airway gets blocked, for whatever reason, it makes your chest muscles and diaphragm work overtime as your body tries to pull air into your lungs. In most cases, your breathing will usually resume abruptly and anyone sleeping in the same room as you will hear you gasp loudly, snort, or your body may jerk. Most likely, however, the person experiencing OSA is not aware this is happening. One of the consequences and dangers of this occurrence is that when you have sleep apnea, the condition reduces the oxygen flow to your vital organs and is known to be the cause of irregular heart rhythms.
What's your next step when you believe you or your loved one is suffering from OSA?
Contact Dr. Greiner who is a Seattle Sleep Solution expert.