Obstructive sleep apnea
BreathingAffects roughly 1 in 15 adultsIn obstructive sleep apnea the throat muscles relax far enough to block the airway, so breathing pauses for ten seconds or more, dozens of times an hour. Oxygen drops, the brain surfaces just enough to reopen the airway, and the cycle repeats. Most people have no memory of it — the complaint that brings them in is exhaustion, or a partner who has started counting the pauses.
A recorded night is the only way to confirm it. A home test counts breathing pauses per hour (the AHI); an in-lab study adds brain waves when the clinical picture is more complex.
Solutions
ranked by evidence levelAir pressure delivered through a mask holds the airway open. The most effective treatment for moderate to severe apnea, provided the pressure is titrated rather than guessed.
See related products →If most events happen on your back, a wedge pillow or positional belt can cut the AHI substantially on its own. Inexpensive, and worth trying while you wait for a consult.
See related products →A fitted oral appliance holds the lower jaw forward. Suits mild to moderate apnea, and people who cannot tolerate a mask.
See related products →Reducing neck circumference lowers mechanical pressure on the upper airway. Slower than a device, and rarely sufficient alone in severe cases.
Reserved for specific anatomy identified by sleep endoscopy. Evidence for routine palate surgery is weak; find out where the airway collapses first.