Patients FAQ's

The following section provides you with a list of the most commonly asked questions about sleep apnea. For more detailed information on sleep apnea, click here. Or, if you want general information on sleep disorders, please click here.

Q: What is “Obstructive Sleep Apnea”?
A: Obstructive Sleep Apnea or sleep apnea (or OSA) is a condition that occurs when a person stops breathing repeatedly during sleep because the airway in the throat collapses and prevents air from getting into the lungs.

Q: How often can a person stop breathing during sleep? 
A: A person can stop breathing up to 100,s of times each night, in severe cases of sleep apnea.

Q:  What causes the airway to collapse during sleep?
A: Extra tissue in the back of the airway, enlarged tongue or uvula, tonsils or adenoids, and obesity can cause a blocking of the upper airway.

Q: How harmful is Sleep Apnea or OSA?
A: Because sleep patterns are disrupted, oxygen levels drop, heart rate becomes variable and causes excessive sleepiness or fatigue to occur during the daytime. Long term effects are serious if a person is not treated – including high blood pressure, heart disease and heart attack, stroke, and automobile and work-related accidents.

Q: How many people have OSA?
A: Sleep apnea is as common as adult asthma. Four in 100 middle-aged men and two in 100 middle-aged women have OSA. As women reach menopause, the ratio increases. Unfortunately, approximately 95% remain undiagnosed and untreated.

Q: I may not realize I stop breathing when I sleep. What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
A:  The most common symptoms include: snoring; excessive daytime sleepiness; morning headaches; waking up gasping for breath; recent weight gain or loss; high blood pressure; experiencing reflux or heartburn. These are just some symptoms of sleep apnea. You should also be aware if you have the above symptoms and also have type II diabetes or any cardiovascular disease.

Q: What should I do if I suspect that I may have sleep apnea?
A: Fortunately, OSA is easily identified and effectively treated. If you think you may have sleep apnea, please visit your doctor first and ask him/her about it. He may refer you to a sleep disorders center or “Sleep Lab” for diagnosis and treatment. 

Q: How is OSA treated?
A: The most common treatment is called “Continuous Positive Airway Pressure” or CPAP therapy, pronounced as "see-pap." Other less common treatments include surgery, laser treatments and dental appliances, which may be effective in some individuals.

Q. How does CPAP therapy work?
A:  CPAP treats sleep apnea by providing a gentle flow of positive pressure air through a mask to splint the airway open while a person sleeps. With CPAP, a person’s breathing becomes regular, snoring stops, and restful sleep is restored!