Patient/caregiver were instructed regarding causes and risk factors for 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, which results in respiratory pauses and obstructive sleep apnea. Involvement of the following factors can [...]

Patient/caregiver were instructed regarding causes and risk factors for 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, which results in respiratory pauses and obstructive sleep apnea. Involvement of the following factors can [...]

Patient/caregiver were instructed regarding pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea as follows: Obstructive sleep apnea is a relatively more common type of sleep apnea, arising due to poorly functioning airway muscles in the throat. Appropriate tension in these muscles is needed to properly support anatomical structures in the throat, such as, the soft palate (the posterior portion of roof of the mouth), uvula (the soft tissue hanging from the soft palate in the back of the [...]

Patient/caregiver were instructed regarding lifestyle measures for individuals with central sleep apnea as follows: Individuals with history of poorly managed cardiac conditions, such as, heart failure and arrhythmias, can present with compromised pumping activity of the heart. This can result in reduced amount of blood pumped out of the heart and consequently, deficient blood supply to the vital organs, such as, brain. Reduced blood supply to the brain can lead to compromised brain function and [...]

Patient/caregiver were instructed regarding lifestyle measures for individuals with central sleep apnea as follows: Individuals with history of chronic opioid use and/or opioid abuse can present with suppression of the higher centers in the brain controlling the respiratory activity. Intake of opioid medications, such as, hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine, and methadone, with alcohol can significantly increase the risk of suppression of the higher centers in the brain controlling the respiratory activity. This can result in poor [...]