Obstructive Sleep Apnea and snoring
What is the definition of obstructive sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. It causes you to repeatedly stop and start breathing while you sleep.
There are several types of sleep apnea, but the most common is obstructive sleep apnea. This type of apnea occurs when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep. A noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring.
What is the larynx?
voice box
What is the most common type of sleep apnea?
obstructive sleep apnea
What percentage of Australians have obstructive sleep apnoea?
Anyone can get sleep apnoea. It’s estimated that about 5% of Australians have sleep apnoea, with around 1 in 4 men over the age of 30 affected. In the over-30 age group, the disorder is about 3 times more common in men than women.
People with narrow throats are more likely to have sleep apnoea and snore during sleep as their throat muscles relax.
What are the functions of the oropharynx?
Oropharynx: middle part of the throat the connects to oral cavity (mouth)
Function-allows air, food and fluid to pass through
Name 2 risk factors of obstructive sleep apnea
obesity, age, hypertension
What 2 sleeping positions aggravate loud snoring?
Sleeping position and open mouth position
What is the function of the laryngopharynx?
Laryngopharynx (Hypopharynx)- bottom part of the throat that ensures food goes into the esophagus and not into the larynx/trachea
Name a major sign of obstructive sleep apnea
snoring, tired during the day
How does changes in the anatomy of sinuses and mouth cause snoring?
Deviation of sinuses and a narrowed airway
What is the function of the nasopharynx?
Nasophayrnx function: connects nasal passages and controls pressure between nasopharynx and middle ear
Name a conditions that undiagnosed sleep apnea can lead to
heart failure, hypertension
Which muscle, when relaxed, causes snoring? And how?
The uvula, falls back and blocks airway
What is the difference between the uvula and epiglottis?
Your uvula is the little fleshy hanging ball in the back of your throat. As part of your soft palate, it helps prevent food and liquid from going up your nose when you swallow. It also secretes saliva to keep your mouth hydrated
The flap that covers the trachea during swallowing so that food does not enter the lungs.
What is the mechanical cause of obstructive sleep apnea
when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep