Obstructive sleep apnea

Question 1

What is obstructive sleep apnea?

Answer 1

Most common breathing-related sleep disorder and is typically associated with obesity, characterized by obstruction of the upper airways due to the collapse of the pharyngeal muscles

Question 2

What are the risk factors of obstructive sleep apnea?

Answer 2

Obesity
Structural abnormalities : adenotonsillar hyperplasia, nasal septum deviation, previous upper airway surgery, enlarged uvula, tongue, or soft palate, overbite, hypertrophied pharyngeal muscles, nasal polyps
Alcohol consumption before sleep

Question 3

What are the clinical features of obstructive sleep apnea?

Answer 3

Restless sleep
Loud, irregular snoring with apneic episodes
Excessive daytime sleepiness

Question 4

How is obstructive sleep apnea diagnosed?

Answer 4

(Epworth Sleepiness Scale) questionnaire completed by patient +/- partner
(Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)) measures the time to fall asleep in a dark room (using EEG criteria)
(sleep studies (polysomnography))

Question 5

What is the treatment for obstructive sleep apnea?

Answer 5

weight loss
(moderate to severe) continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
(intra-oral devices, e.g. mandibular advancement)