The obstructive sleep apnea is caused due to the block of air during sleep. This is commonly abbreviated as OSA. In the obstructive sleep apnea, breathing is interrupted by a physical block to airflow, despite the effort to breathe. An apnea episode is followed by a sudden attempt to breathe and a change to a lighter stage of sleep.

There are many symptoms for this. A person with obstructive sleep apnea usually snores heavily soon after falling asleep. To confirm obstructive sleep apnea sleep study is used. Children with very large tonsils and adenoids may develop sleep apnea and related problems. They should be checked by a health care provider to determine whether they need further evaluation.

OSA occurs in approximately 2 percent of women and 4 percent of men over the age of 35. Many people with OSA have disorders such as hypertension, stroke, diabetes, gastro esophageal reflux disease, nocturnal angina, heart failure, acromegaly, and hypothyroidism. There are certain methods in the treatment procedure. The physical examination should include evaluation for nasal obstruction, tonsillar hypertrophy, and pharyngeal structure, measurement of neck circumference, and identification of clinical features of hypothyroidism and acromegaly. Specific treatments for OSA include CPAP, oral appliances, and airway surgery.