FACT SHEET FOR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

What is obstructive sleep apnea?
Are you at risk for OSA?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep
disorder that affects how you breathe when sleeping. Check each box that applies to you:
With OSA, tissues in the mouth, throat, and neck close
off the airway. This causes you to breathe very shallowly Snoring? Do you snore louder than
or even stop breathing for a few seconds to a minute. talking or loud enough to be heard
These interruptions can happen many times each hour. through closed doors?

Obstructive sleep apnea is treatable. Without treatment, Tired? Do you feel tired during the day,
OSA can have serious consequences on your health.
even after a “good” night’s sleep?

Observed breathing interruption while

sleeping? Has anyone ever seen you stop
breathing while you’re sleeping?

Pressure — high blood pressure? Do

you have high blood pressure, or are you
being treated for it?
Open airway
Body Mass Index (BMI) over 35? Do
you weigh more than you should for your
Obstructed airway height? Ask your provider about your
With obstructive sleep apnea, throat tissues, tonsils, Body Mass Index.
or your tongue keep air from flowing as you sleep.
Age — over 50? Your risk for OSA
increases as you get older.
What are the signs and symptoms
Neck size — large? If you're a woman,
of OSA? does your neck measure more than 16
Common signs and symptoms of OSA may include: inches around? If you're a man, does it
• • Loud snoring measure more than 17 inches around?

• • Daytime tiredness Gender — male? OSA is more common

• • Morning headaches in men than in women.
• • Feeling unrested or groggy
TOTAL: If you checked 1 or 2 boxes, you
• • Restless sleep -  waking a lot throughout the night
may be at risk. If you checked 3 boxes
• • Long pauses between breaths while sleeping or more, your risk is high. Talk with your
• • Suddenly waking and choking or gasping for air doctor about your risk for OSA.
You can have OSA and not notice any symptoms. Often
STOP-BANG Questionnaire adapted with permission
a person’s bed partner will first notice a problem. They from Dr. Frances Chung and University Health
may hear you snore or see you stop breathing. Network, 2014.

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How does the doctor test for OSA? How is OSA treated?
Diagnosing OSA requires special medical tests. There are 3 types of treatment options for OSA:
Two commonly used tests are home oximetry and • • Positive airway pressure therapy (PAP) (see below).
sleep studies. This is the most common and effective treatment.
• • Home oximetry. This test uses a small device • • Lifestyle management therapies. Changes to your
to monitor the oxygen in your blood while you day-to-day living can help reduce symptoms (See
sleep. If your blood oxygen repeatedly dips below a page 3).
certain level, you might have OSA. • • Alternative therapies.Some people need more
A home oximetry test is easy, inexpensive, and can specialized treatment. Alternative therapies include
dental appliances and surgery.
be done in a timely manner. It is only a screening
test, which means it can’t be used to diagnose What is PAP?
OSA, but it can show if you need urgent care or
With positive airway pressure (PAP), a special
additional testing.
machine pushes air through a mask. The air pressure
• • Sleep Study. In order to diagnose OSA, you will keeps your airway open and helps you breathe while
need to do a sleep study. During the sleep study, sleeping. PAP is the most common and effective
sensors are placed on your body to measure and treatment for OSA.
record detailed information while you sleep.
After using PAP, patients usually feel much better and
have more energy. It can also help with snoring.

The sleep study has two purposes:

The test confirms whether you
– – Diagnosing OSA. CPAP therapy provides slight air pressure to keep
have OSA and shows how serious the problem is. your airway open. It is the most common and
effective treatment for OSA.
– – Finding the best settings for treatment.
If you have OSA, the best treatment is PAP
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is the
(described at right). In the sleep center, the
technician finds the best PAP settings for you. most common type of PAP. With CPAP, air flows to
the mask continuously and the air pressure does not
There are 2 types of sleep studies: home sleep change. This works well for most people.
studies and in-lab sleep studies. Some patients may
be able to use a portable monitor to perform a While CPAP is the most common type of PAP
sleep study at home. Talk with your doctor or sleep therapy, your doctor may recommend APAP or
specialist about which sleep study can work for you. BiPAP if you have a hard time adjusting to CPAP or
for other reasons.
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What if OSA is not treated? Tips for better sleep
Some people may think of OSA as a minor health OSA symptoms can improve if you make sure to get
issue and decide not to use recommended treatments. enough sleep.
But it is not a minor health issue. Untreated OSA can
• • Stick to a regular schedule. It will be easier to get
lead to:
to sleep if your body expects sleep at the same time
• • Car accidents • • High blood pressure each day.
• • Dementia • • Obesity – – Go to bed and wake up at the same time
• • Depression • • Stroke each day, even on weekends or days off work.
• • Diabetes • • Higher healthcare costs keep the same sleep
– – If you’re a shift worker,
• • Heart attack • • Longer hospital stays and wake schedule even on your days off.
– – Create a bedtime routine that you go through
Can I reduce my OSA symptoms? about 30 minutes before going to sleep. Consider
PAP therapy is the best treatment option. However, quiet activities like reading, listening to quiet
changes to some behaviors or lifestyle choices can music, or taking a bath.
sometimes help improve OSA symptoms. • • Avoid screen time before bed. Light from smart
• • Lose weight. Losing weight is one of the best phones, tablets, and TVs can trick your brain into
ways to improve your OSA. Losing as little as 15 to staying awake.
20 lbs can reduce OSA symptoms as well as help • • Be active during the day. Exercise regularly to
you sleep better and snore less. For many, the first improve your sleep. Try for 30 minutes every day.
step to losing weight is getting OSA under control Avoid heavy exercise 2 to 4 hours before bedtime.
with PAP therapy.
• • Make your bedroom the place for sleep.
• • Avoid or limit alcohol.Alcohol acts as a sedative – – Use your bedroom only for sleep.
and causes the body to relax more than it normally
– – Make your bedroom quiet and dark.
would. If you choose to use alcohol, stop drinking
2-3 hours before bedtime. – – Make sure your bed and pillow are
comfortable.
• • Avoid medication that makes you sleepy.
– – Keep the bedroom temperature comfortable
Medicines, such as pain killers, sedatives, and sleep
but on the cool side.
aids, can cause sleepiness, difficulty breathing, and
slowed heart rate. These side effects are serious and • • Watch what you eat and drink.
can be deadly — especially for people with OSA. – – Avoid alcohol and caffeine within 6 hours
• • Change sleep positions. Sleeping on your back of bedtime.
can make sleep apnea worse, while sleeping on your – – Don’t go to bed hungry. Eata light snack before
side can help these problems. Special pillows may bed, but don’t eat a large meal.
better position your head and neck while sleeping. – – Avoid eating spicy foods before bedtime.
Before relying on this type of treatment, talk with
your doctor because it’s not as simple as it sounds.
• • Keep your nasal passages open. If you have
sinus problems or a stuffy nose, use nose spray or
breathing strips. Ask your doctor before taking
antihistamines or decongestants.
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 Questions I want to ask my provider:

Notes from my visit:

Sleep center or other appointments:

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