Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which repeated partial or complete upper-airway collapse interrupts breathing. These episodes fragment sleep and can lower blood oxygen.

Upper airway: The passage from the nose and mouth through the throat to the larynx. Its soft tissues narrow or collapse during sleep, interrupting airflow.
Apnea: A temporary cessation of breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea consists of repeated apnea episodes, often alongside partial obstructions.
Polysomnography: An overnight sleep study that records brain activity, breathing, oxygen, heart rhythm, and other signals. It can identify obstructive events and measure their frequency and effects.
Excessive daytime sleepiness: Persistent difficulty staying awake during usual waking hours. Repeated sleep disruption commonly produces impaired daytime alertness.
Pharyngeal collapse: inward collapse of the throat walls that narrows or closes the airway. This is the immediate mechanical obstruction in many apnea episodes.
Hypopnea: A reduction in airflow during sleep, typically accompanied by oxygen loss or an arousal. Sleep studies count partial airflow reductions as well as complete pauses.
Home sleep apnea testing: A portable test that records selected breathing and oxygen signals during sleep at home. It offers a simpler diagnostic option for selected adults with suspected disease.
Resistant hypertension: High blood pressure that remains above target despite treatment with multiple medications. Obstructive sleep apnea is common in this condition and may contribute to poor blood-pressure control.
Arousal threshold: The level of respiratory stimulation required to trigger a brief awakening from sleep. An awakening can reopen the airway, but repeated arousals fragment sleep.
Sleep-disordered breathing: A group of conditions involving abnormal breathing during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is one member of this broader group.

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