What is OSA?
Normally during sleep, air moves through the throat and in and out of the lungs at a regular rhythm. In a person with sleep apnea, air movement is periodically diminished or stopped.
There are two types of sleep apnea:
- obstructive sleep apnea: breathing is abnormal because of narrowing or closure of the throat.
- central sleep apnea: breathing is abnormal because of a change in the breathing control and rhythm.
- Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can affect a person’s ability to safely perform normal daily activities and can affect long-term health.
- Approximately 25 percent of adults are at risk for sleep apnea of some degree.
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- Men are more commonly affected than women.
- Other risk factors include:
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- middle and older age,
- being overweight or obese,
- having a small mouth and throat.