Sleep apnea is a disorder in which the muscles in the throat relax to the point of collapse, restricting airflow. This causes breathing to become shallow and even stop for seconds or minutes at a time, depriving the body and brain of oxygen. The lack of deep sleep can cause significant fatigue and elevate the risk for serious health problems. Snoring and fatigue are the most common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea(OSA).

Obesity, large neck, large tongue, short lower jaw, and a reduction in the size of the airway behind the tongue are frequently observed in people with OSA. Some studies showed that Asians with OSA are thinner than Caucasians. Body fat composition varies for a same body mass index (BMI) according to ethnicity. Asians are more likely to have OSA even if they are not obese due to facial skeletal features such as small jaw and receding jaw.

Symptoms of sleep apnea:

  • Loud snoring.
  • Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep ― which would be reported by another person.
  • Gasping for air during sleep.
  • Awakening with a dry mouth.
  • Morning headache.
  • Difficulty staying asleep, known as insomnia.
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness, known as hypersomnia.
  • Difficulty paying attention while awake.
  • Irritability.

To get evaluated for sleep apnea, for instance, patients typically participate in an at-home test or an in-lab test where they’re monitored overnight.

<Polysomnography (PSG) >
Polysomnography is a sleep study. It is considered the gold standard for diagnosing sleep-related breathing disorders including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). During this test, you’re hooked up to equipment that monitors your heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep. Full sleep studies are most often done at a special sleep center.

<At-Home sleep test (HSAT or HST)>
A At-Home sleep test is an easy, cost-effective way to diagnose OSA. It uses a sensor that include a small probe. The probe goes over your finger to measure oxygen level. t does not fully capture what is monitored with an overnight sleep study. Your provider is more likely to recommend polysomnography in a sleep testing facility, rather than a home sleep test, if central sleep apnea is suspected.

OSA can range from Mild to Severe based on the apnea–hypoapnea index (AHI). AHI is an average number of apneas and hypopnea that occur per hour of sleep.

Normal : Less than 5 events per hour
Mild : 5 to14 events per hour
Moderate : 15 to 29 events per hour
Severe : 30 or more events per hour

For milder cases of sleep apnea, your health care provider may recommend only lifestyle changes. You may need to change the position in which you sleep. If you have nasal allergies, your provider may recommend treatment for your allergies.
If these measures don’t improve your symptoms or if your apnea is moderate to severe, a number of other treatments are available.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the primary treatment for OSA and is the recommended first-line treatment for patients with moderate-to-severe forms of the disease. However, some patients are unable to tolerate CPAP or are unwilling to accept it as a form of permanent management. In these cases, surgery may be useful.