OSA Fast Facts
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a disease of the upper airway, predominantly the soft palate.
It is associated with interrupted breathing and relaxed muscle tone during sleep that results in airway obstruction, and may last as long as 1 minute.
During the day, the airway is kept open via muscle control since there is no bone or cartilage to keep the airway open, which is why during sleep the airway can become closed, leading to interrupted breathing.
This breathing interruption results in decreased blood oxygen.
Once blood oxygen decreases to a certain point, the body reacts by lightening sleep and restoring muscle control.
This can lead to gasping or choking until blood oxygen levels return to normal.
All this can affect sleep quality as well as put a strain on the heart, as the heart works harder to maintain blood oxygen.
The number of interruptions varies from person to person and can be as many as a few times an hour to greater than a 100 events per hour.
The drop in oxygen levels can be dramatic or mild and a person’s response can vary depending on associated diseases, age, and desensitization due to prolonged untreated OSA.
The results of OSA can often be associated with stroke, heart attack, arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation), congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, GERD, and depression.
Additionally:
- It is estimated today that 1 in 5 Canadian adults suffer from OSA. This equals to about 6.5 million individuals, with 1/3 being moderate to severe cases.
- Men are 2-3 times more likely to be affected.
- OSA is thought to be linked to many disasters including: the Hinton, Alberta train derailment, Chernobyl, Exxon Valdez, the Three Mile Island accident, and the Union Carbide chemical accident.
- OSA was first reported in medical literature in 1965, with treatment for severe cases being Tracheostomy.
- The first CPAP machine was introduced by Colin Sullivan in 1981.
Testimonial
After a sleep test, he quickly set up my husband with a sleep machine, and our lives have not been the same!! My hubby said good-bye to restless legs, and lack of energy, and we are both enjoying the benefits of feeling rested!
Anatomy of a Blocked Airway
Additional Alberta Locations for your convenience.
RED DEER
3701 50th Ave Red, Red Deer, AB T4N 3Y7
Call: 1-888-286-2318
Hours:
Mon – Fri 8:30am – 4:30pm
130TH AVENUE
#63 4307 130Ave SE Calgary, AB T2Z 3V8 Canada
Located in South Trail Crossing shopping centre across from Co-op supermarket.
Hours:
Mon – Thur 8:30am – 5:30pm
Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm
COUNTRY HILLS
5149 Country Hills Blvd NW #202 Calgary, AB T3A 5K8
Corner of Sarcee and Country Hills Blvd in the Super Store Plaza.
Hours:
Mon – Thur 8:30am – 5:30pm
Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm