Obstructive sleep apnea

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea

A form of sleep apnea where there is a physical obstruction to the airways. Obese people are particularly prone to this condition but people with congenital abnormalities of the upper airway may also suffer the condition. For example, enlarged adenoids may obstruct breathing. Untreated obstructive sleep apnea can cause serious complications such as heart abnormalities and lung failure if left untreated.

Symptoms of Obstructive sleep apnea

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Social problems
• Emotional problems
• Restless sleep
• Loud snoring

See full list of 26 symptoms of Obstructive sleep apnea

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical testing related to Obstructive sleep apnea:

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Medical Textbooks Online about Obstructive sleep apnea

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Wrongly Diagnosed with Obstructive sleep apnea?

• Misdiagnosis of Obstructive sleep apnea
• Failure to diagnose Obstructive sleep apnea
• Underlying causes of Obstructive sleep apnea (possibly wrongly diagnosed)
• Failure to diagnose Obstructive sleep apnea

Misdiagnosis and Obstructive sleep apnea

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Read more about Misdiagnosis and Obstructive sleep apnea

Causes of Obstructive sleep apnea

• Obesity
• Common cold
• Sinusitis
• Enlarged tonsils
• Enlarged adenoids

See full list of 12 causes of Obstructive sleep apnea

More information about causes of Obstructive sleep apnea:

• Underlying causes of Obstructive sleep apnea
• Obstructive sleep apnea as a complication caused by other conditions
• Obstructive sleep apnea as a symptom
• Medical news summaries relating to Causes of Obstructive sleep apnea

Treatments for Obstructive sleep apnea

• Specific treatments
  • Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nasal CPAP)
  • Dental appliances
  • Decongestants - if blockage is from a stuffy nose or sinuses.
  • Oxygen - somewhat controversial.

See full list of 23 treatments for Obstructive sleep apnea

Videos for Obstructive sleep apnea

Patient Surveys for Obstructive sleep apnea

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• Survey about the symptoms of your Obstructive sleep apnea
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Prognosis for Obstructive sleep apnea

Prognosis for Obstructive sleep apnea: Eliminating the obstruction usually reverses the commonly associated pulmonary and systemic hypertension and cardiac problems of obstructive apnea. Untreated, sleep apnea can greatly affect daytime functioning. Sleep apnea sufferers have a tendency to fall asleep during the day, a potentially deadly consequence of the disorder. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Sleep Apnea Information Page: NINDS)

More about prognosis of Obstructive sleep apnea

Reseach about Obstructive sleep apnea

Visit our research pages for current research about Obstructive sleep apnea treatments.

Clinical Trials for Obstructive sleep apnea

The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.

Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Obstructive sleep apnea include:

• Behavioral Effects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children - This study is no longer recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Telecommunications System in Sleep Apnea - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• CEP-10953 in Treatment of Excessive Sleepiness Associated With Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea (OSA/H) Syndrome - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - CEP-10953
• CEP-10953 for Treatment of Narcolepsy, Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome, or Chronic Shift Work Sleep Disorder - This study is no longer recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - CEP-10953
• Treatment of Children With Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Laryngomalacia: the Role of Laser Supraglottoplasty - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)

See full list of 61 Clinical Trials for Obstructive sleep apnea

Statistics for Obstructive sleep apnea

• Medical statistics for Obstructive sleep apnea
• Prevalence and incidence statistics for Obstructive sleep apnea
• Death and Mortality statistics for Obstructive sleep apnea
• Society statistics for Obstructive sleep apnea

Medical Guidebooks and Ebooks for Obstructive sleep apnea

• Icon Health Sourcebook for Obstructive sleep apnea

See all guides and ebooks for Obstructive sleep apnea

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