What is Obstructive Sleep Effect (OSE)? | Sommetrics (2024)

FAQs

What is Obstructive Sleep Effect (OSE)? | Sommetrics? ›

Obstructive Sleep Effect represents a spectrum of changes in the upper airway leading to sleep which produces physiologic stress. Those with OSE experience sleep that is not restful, and complain of being excessively tired during the day.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is when a blockage in your airway keeps air from moving through your windpipe while you're asleep. The blockage and lack of airflow can cause your blood oxygen levels to drop, triggering a survival reflex in your brain that wakes you up just enough to breathe again.

If OSA is left untreated, it can cause problems such as poor performance at work and school, and placing a strain on your relationships. Poorly controlled OSA may also increase your risk of: developing high blood pressure (hypertension) having a stroke or heart attack.

What is obstructive sleep apnea? Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your breathing is interrupted during sleep, for longer than 10 seconds at least 5 times per hour (on average) throughout your sleep period. These periods are called hypopneas when your breathing is reduced and you're not taking in enough oxygen.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by episodes of a complete airway collapse or a partial collapse with an associated decrease in oxygen saturation or arousal from sleep. Other symptoms include loud, disruptive snoring, witnessed apneas during sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness.

There are many approaches to treating sleep apnea, depending on the specific type of sleep apnea and how severe it is. While none of these is a cure, they can help prevent apnea events or reduce how often they happen or how severe they are. Many treatments should be a part of your daily (or nightly) routine.

Unfortunately, OSA rarely, if ever, vanishes without significant lifestyle changes or specialized treatment. In mild cases, the following lifestyle changes may be enough to keep symptoms at bay: Losing weight if you are obese. Exercising regularly.

Although uncommon, it is possible to die during sleep from untreated obstructive sleep apnea. Observational research has found that OSA increases a person's risk of sudden death. This risk is believed to be higher in people of older age, in people with a critical illness, and in people with severe OSA.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not recognize sleep apnea as a disability. However, if you suffer from severe enough sleep apnea, you may meet eligibility standards with the other symptoms resulting from your sleep apnea. To qualify for benefits, you must meet SSD's definition of disabled.

What is the root cause of obstructive sleep apnea? ›

Lifestyle habits: Drinking alcohol and smoking can raise your risk of sleep apnea. Alcohol can make the muscles of your mouth and throat relax, which may close your upper airway. Smoking can cause inflammation in your upper airway, which affects breathing. Obesity: This condition is a common cause of sleep apnea.

Sleep apnoea can sometimes be treated by making lifestyle changes like losing weight, giving up smoking and reducing how much alcohol you drink. But many people need to use a device called a CPAP machine. You'll be given this for free on the NHS if you need it.

Snoring and sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea causes the airways to collapse during sleep, leading to pauses in breathing. It often goes hand-in-hand with snoring. Positioning yourself on your side or stomach can help the airways stay open to reduce snoring and alleviate mild apnea, Salas says.

OSA is a chronic disease that involves repetitive pauses in breathing during sleep. These breathing pauses can prevent your body from supplying enough oxygen to the brain. In severe cases this lack of oxygen can lead to brain damage. Signs of this damage include memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and moodiness.

The new study found you can trim down your fatty tongue as you lose overall body fat. “This study shows reducing excess fat in general can reduce tongue size,” said Dr. Raj Dasgupta, a sleep specialist at Keck Medicine at the University of Southern California, who was not involved in the study.

Sleep apnea is closely linked to several life-threatening conditions. It may cause or worsen chronic illnesses like high blood pressure. Sleep apnea can lead to sudden cardiac death. If you have a history of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, or another chronic illness, ask your doctor to test you for sleep apnea.

A breathing device, such as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, is the most common treatment for sleep apnea. A CPAP machine provides constant air pressure throughout your upper airways to keep them open and help you breathe while you sleep.

Central sleep apnea occurs because the brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. This condition is different from obstructive sleep apnea, in which breathing stops because the throat muscles relax and block the airway. Central sleep apnea is less common than obstructive sleep apnea.

It's important to treat sleep apnea, because it can have long-term consequences for your health. While there have been some high-profile deaths linked to sleep apnea—such as with Judge Antonin Scalia —Jun says that the true risk is from damage done over time.