Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Its Management: A Narrative Review

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder in which there is repeated collapse of the upper airway when the person is in sleep, which causes oxygen desaturation and interrupted sleep. While asleep, airway blockages and collapse are accompanied by awakenings with or without oxygen desaturation. OSA is a prevalent disorder, especially in people with known risk factors and other illnesses. Pathogenesis is variable, and the risk factors include low chest volume, erratic respiratory regulation, and muscular dysfunction in the upper airway dilators. The high-risk factors include overweight, male sex, aging, adenotonsillar hypertrophy, interruption of the menstrual cycle, preservation of liquids, and smoking. The signs are snoring, drowsiness, and apneas. A sleep history, assessment of symptoms, and physical examination are all part of the screening process for OSA, and the data can help determine which people need to be tested for the condition. The results of the polysomnogram or at-home sleep apnea test assist in determining the presence and severity of OSA. Still, it is seen many times that the accuracy of home sleep apnea tests is significantly less, so one should take an expert opinion for the same. OSA results in systemic hypertension, drowsiness, and driving accidents. It is additionally related to diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure (CHF), cerebral infarction, and myocardial infarction, but the exact mechanism is not known. The preferred treatment is continuous positive airway pressure with 60-70% adherence. Other management options include reducing weight, therapy of oral appliances, and correcting any anatomical obstruction (narrow pharyngeal airway, adenoid hypertrophy, and mass in the pharynx). OSA indirectly causes headaches just after awakening and daytime sleepiness. However, there are no age boundaries in OSA as it can occur in any age group. Still, more prevalence is seen in individuals of more than 60 years of age.