Patient/caregiver were instructed regarding signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea as follows:
Obstructive sleep apnea is a relatively more common type of sleep apnea, arising due to excessive relaxation of and poorly functioning airway muscles in the throat. Excessive relaxation of and poorly functioning airway muscles in the throat lead to narrowing or closure of the respiratory airways, resulting in obstructive sleep apnea with the following signs and symptoms.
- Snoring: Passage of air through narrowed and obstructed airways lead to the characteristic snore in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea.
- Cessation of breathing: Obstruction to the airflow due to narrowed airways lead to sudden cessation of breathing effort. This period of lack of breathing effort is called apnea. This leads to poor gas exchange with reduced oxygen pick-up for the tissues and increased carbon dioxide retention.
- Abrupt awakenings with gasping for air: Individuals with obstructive sleep apnea can present with multiple apneic spells during the night, with compromised or complete cessation of breathing effort. Lack of breathing effort during the apneic spell can lead to individual’s abrupt awakening from sleep, gasping for air.
