Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Sleeping with CPAP machine
According to the literature, there has been a rise in “sleep divorce” — a term coined to apply when bedpartners choose other locations to sleep. The culprit — snoring! “Good grief! It sounds like a freight train rumbling through the bedroom.” “All night long, a 747 airplane lands and takes off next to my head,” report weary bedpartners.

Although irritating, snoring can be a symptom of a serious health problem: obstructive sleep apnea. As the name suggests, breathing is disrupted during deep sleep phases. The muscles at the back of the throat relax, causing the airway to close or narrow. The brain registers a lack of oxygen, triggering the snorer to wake. “Apneic” episodes can last up to ten seconds and occur thirty times per hour in severe cases, making it difficult for the sleeper to reach deep, rejuvenating sleep phases.

Loud snoring is the most common symptom, but sufferers may experience morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, irritability, inattentiveness, depression, and marital problems. If left untreated, OSA may lead to serious health problems: high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems (irregular heart rhythm, heart attack, sudden cardiac death), stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease. Poor sleep quality can also lead to workplace and motor vehicle accidents because of decreased concentration and forgetfulness.

wearing headphones while laying down

Factors that increase the risk of developing OSA include heart failure and diabetes, advanced age, biological sex, and anatomical structures of the neck. Men have a two- to three-times greater risk for OSA than women. Individuals with short, thick necks, fatty deposits around the neck, or tonsil and/or adenoid problems are also at risk.

airway diagram

The first suggestion of OSA may come from your bed partner reporting increased snoring and apneic spells. Your health-care professional will perform a physical examination, including the throat and neck. A sleep study called a polysomnogram (SnoreSat) may be ordered, which can be done at a hospital or sleep centre.

A common treatment for OSA is the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device at bedtime. A steady flow of pressurized air into your nose and mouth via a face or nasal mask keeps your airway open, allowing for improved sleep quality.

Your health-care professional may suggest lifestyle changes: weight loss, smoking cessation, and limiting caffeine, alcohol, and sedatives at bedtime.

For further information on sleep apnea, check out myhealth.alberta.ca or speak with your health-care professional.


Laurie Carmichael

Laurie Carmichael

Laurie Carmichael is a retired nurse and author of A Complicated Goodbye and its sequel Hiding Amongst the Clouds. This article originally appeared in North Okotoks Living Magazine.