Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Question 1

What is obstructive sleep apnoea?

Answer 1

Episodes of complete or partial airway obstruction during sleep associated with oxyhemoglobin desaturation and arousal from sleep

Question 2

Symptoms of OSA?

Answer 2

Chronic snoring
Insomnia
Gasping and breath holding
Non-refreshing sleep
Daytime somnolence
- patient may present with chronic fatigue due to poor sleep quality

Question 3

Causes of OSA?

Answer 3

Obesity (increase in soft palate/tongue tissue mass)
Maxillomandibular anomalies
Adenotonsillar hypertrophy
Rarer causes too but obesity is by far the most common

Question 4

Treatment of OSA?

Answer 4

CPAP - continuous positive airway pressure given via face mask during sleep