Question

Discuss why it is important to diagnose and treat OSA quickly and effectively.

Answer 1

Obstructive sleep apnea (OBC) is a potentially serious sleep disorder. This can cause breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep. This type of apnea occurs when the throat muscles intermittently relax and block the airway during sleep. A noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring.

OSA can cause severe symptoms, such as excessive daytime sleeping and it is associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Hence the treatment fo this condition is crucial. This causes loud snoring that can disturb the sleep. waking up during sleep, gasping or choking. intermittent poses in breathing during sleeping. this lead to excessive drowsiness during daytime which hinders day today activities.

There are several treatment options for the treatment of OSA.  After more than three decades from its first use, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is still recognized as the gold standard treatment. The most effective method is the Nasal CPAP for controlling symptoms, improving quality of life and reducing the clinical sequelae of sleep apnoea. Other positive airway pressure modalities are available for patients intolerant to CPAP or requiring high levels of positive pressure. Mandibular advancement devices, particularly if custom made, are effective in mild to moderate OSA and provide a viable alternative for patients intolerant to CPAP therapy.

The part of surgery is controversial. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is a well established procedure and can be considered when treatment with CPAP has failed, whereas maxillar-mandibular surgery can be suggested to patients with a craniofacial malformation. A number of minimally invasive procedures to treat snoring are currently under evaluation. Weight loss improves symptoms and morbidity in all patients with obesity and bariatric surgery is an option in severe obesity. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary for an accurate management of the disease.