What is obstructive sleep apnea?

OSA: Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when breathing stops (apnea) during sleep usually as a result of a temporary obstruction such as a narrowing and closing in the oropharynx. When the brain detects that breathing has stopped, an alarm goes up that wakes the person so that he starts breathing again. Often the person does not know why he has woken. An observer may note snoring or gasping in the night.

Apnea: There are two types of apnea; central in whiich the brain tells the body it does not need to breath and obstructive in which the upper airway collapses due to a lose of muscle tone.

Sleep apnea: There are two kinds: central and obstructive most common is obstructive. The airway has to be evaluated. The problem can be anywhere from the nares, nasal valves, septum, uvula, large tongue, tonsils, mandibular deficiency.

A few thoughts: The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. This type of apnea occurs when either your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep or you have structural narrowing of the airway. A noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring. Good discussion here: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obstructive-sleep-apnea/home/ovc-20205684

Bewareof Big Tongues: Usually the tongue coupled with excessive tissue at the back of your throat interferes with your airway. the majority of patient are overweight and male. Consider losing weight and exercising more!