Obstructive Sleep

Obstructive sleep apnea and obstructive sleep hypopnea are common conditions that affect many people, but the chances of experiencing them often depend on age, sex, lifestyle and other factors. Find out about sleep apnea and hypopnea definitions, symptoms and treatments in the article below and contact an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist for more information on treatment options:

information on treatment options:
• Sleep apnea is a condition that causes a short pause in breathing during the night.
• Sleep hypopnea is a condition that causes lighter breathing for 30 seconds at night.
• Both of these conditions are more common in men than in women over forty years old.
• Sleep apnea and hypopnea is treatable with lifestyle changes and mouthpieces
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a relatively common condition in which the muscles in the throat relax during the night and obstruct the airways, interrupting normal breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea can affect physical and mental health, especially when sleep patterns are interrupted.
Sleep apnea is more common in men than in women, but the condition increases in women post-menopause, in older adults and in anyone who is overweight. Obstructive sleep apnea can be treated with lifestyle changes or by using a device to open the airways while you are asleep.
The Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
The first signs of sleep apnea are normally noticed by a partner during the night; they might wake up to loud snoring or intermittent snoring patterns – breathing might also be noisy and labored. Other symptoms of OSA can cause someone to urinate regularly and affects wellbeing.
During an episode of sleep apnea, there is a lack of oxygen to the brain, which causes the brain to trigger a response. The brain pulls a person out of the deep sleep state into a lighter sleep where breathing is possible or wakefulness. The interruption affects sleep patterns and health.
The Causes of Sleep Apnea
During the night, the muscles in the throat relax and collapse to some extent – this is normal in most people – however, people with sleep apnea have a more extreme form of this which cause sleeping issues. Sleep apnea can be caused by a number of factors and is a treatable condition.

One of the main causes of sleep apnea is being overweight. People with excessive body fat and soft tissue around the neck are more likely to experience sleep apnea. Other factors include being male, being over forty years of age or having a large or unusual size of neck or collar.
What is Obstructive Sleep Hypopnea?
Sleep hypopnea differs slightly from sleep apnea in that it is not a complete pause in breathing but rather a period of shallow or light breathing. In sleep hypopnea, the breathing is decreased by around 30% for 10 seconds. Blood flow and oxygen levels also decrease for this time period.
Sleep hypopnea can occur alongside sleep apnea, but if someone has five events per hour, they likely have a form of sleep apnea. Sleep disturbances throughout the night can cause mood disturbances and sleepiness during the day; it can also cause heart and brain issues.
The Symptoms of Sleep Hypopnea
The symptoms of sleep apnea are very similar to those of sleep hypopnea; both conditions will cause loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, feeling unrested upon waking and having morning headaches, along with various mood disturbances. They can also disturb their partner.
Obstructed airways can cause loud snoring in both conditions that can wake up individuals and their partners; this lack of sleep makes it harder to function during the day and contributes to mental unwellness. Sleep hypopnea can also create mood disturbances and affect life quality.
The Causes of Sleep Hypopnea
Many of the causes of sleep apnea are the same causes of sleep hypopnea; the condition is mainly caused by excessive tissue in the throat that blocks the airways and obstructs breathing during sleep. The condition can also be caused by hyperthyroidism or the size of the tonsils.
Sleep hypopnea can be a symptom of sleep apnea, but it can also occur independently. Factors that increase the risks of sleep hypopnea include obesity, hypothyroidism, genetic factors and lifestyle choices like smoking and drinking. It can be treated with lifestyle changes and devices.
Don’t be alarmed if you discover that you experience short breathing pauses during the night; sleep apnea and sleep hypopnea are very common and can be treated with some simple lifestyle changes.

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What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea?

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