Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a pathological condition characterized by the occurrence of recurring episodes of cessation of breathing during sleep due to the closure of the upper respiratory tract lumen. At the same time, respiratory movements are preserved, but air either does not enter the lungs at all, or its flow is significantly reduced.

As a result, there is a drop in the level of oxygen in the blood, accompanied by sleep disturbances and lethargy during the daytime.

Who is at risk?

• Gender – men get sick more often than women
• Age – the incidence rate increases with age
• Obesity (change in body mass index per unit increases the risk of OSA by 4 times
• Postmenopausal period – frequency increases
• Bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol)
• Abnormalities of the development of the upper and lower jaws, excessive overgrowth of lymphoid tissue in the neck
• Taking sedatives or sleeping pills
• Neurological diseases: stroke, myopathy, etc.
• Acromegaly (risk associated with an increase in the size of the upper jaw and tongue) and hypothyroidism

In the absence of disease therapy, life-threatening conditions may develop:

• hypertension;
• cardiac arrhythmias;
• heart attack;
• stroke;
• diabetes mellitus.

Among the manifestations of OSA, I single out the following symptoms:

• snoring, stopping breathing in a dream;
• restless sleep;
• increased daytime sleepiness;
• impaired attention, decreased performance;
• frequent night urination;
• decreased sex drive;
• headache;
• increased blood pressure at night and in the morning.

Diagnosis of OSA

If one or more of these signs are detected, it is recommended to consult a doctor. The specialist will assess the situation and appoint a follow-up examination.

Both laboratory and instrumental studies are carried out to diagnose OSA.

Laboratory:

• general and biochemical blood tests;
• the study of arterial blood gases.

Instrumental:

• polysomnography;
• examination of the function of external respiration;
• ECG, ECHO-KG;
• multispiral computed tomography (if necessary).

Treatment of OSA

Therapy of the disease is aimed at restoring oxygen levels, getting rid of snoring, improving sleep quality, activity and vigor during the day, weight loss, reducing the risks of cardiovascular complications (myocardial infarction, stroke, etc.).

Today a wide range of therapeutic measures is used:

• Conservative treatment: weight loss, lifestyle changes (proper nutrition, refusal to sleep on your back, taking alcohol and sedatives, etc.), correction of concomitant diseases of the endocrine and neurological systems.
• CPAP therapy (CPAP - continuous positive airway pressure). It stands for "continuous airway pressure." This is the main method of treatment of OSA, which consists in creating an air flow pressure with the CPAP apparatus, which maintains the necessary pressure and prevents the pharyngeal tissues from closing. Thus, the upper respiratory tract remains open, there are no respiratory stops, the oxygen content in the blood is normalized.  
• Surgical treatment: ENT interventions and orthognathic operations.

In the MCSC named after A.S. Loginov, the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is carried out by a multidisciplinary team of doctors-pulmonologists, cardiologists, endocrinologists and nutritionists, otorhinolaryngologists, bariatric surgeons.

You can make an appointment for a consultation with specialists by calling the help and information service +7 (495) 304-30-39.

Do not delay your visit to the specialists of our Center. Timely treatment leads to a reduction in symptoms and prevention of disease progression.