Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – The Hidden Epidemic

Dr. Sumit Mrig, Director & Unit Head – ENT, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated episodes of complete (apnea) or partial (hypopnea) collapse of the upper airway, causing fall in oxygen saturation or sleep arousal. This leads to fragmented, nonrestorative sleep. It affects all age groups and genders, though some features might be common in both while some may be specific to a particular age group or gender. As per recent studies the overall prevalence of OSA in India is around 11% and increasing every year.

This condition impairs quality of life and further complicates metabolic disorders like diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and hypertension. Despite its high prevalence, it is often missed in or under-diagnosed in clinical settings.

Here we try to bust common myths regarding this condition.

MYTH

My forefathers used to snore, so I also have snoring issue genetically

FACT

Most causes of OSA are acquired although some role of genetics can be there

MYTH

My sleep is not disturbed. I sleep 8-10 hours in day

FACT

Not just the duration, quality of sleep is also important. A refreshing sleep of 6 hours is better than non-refreshing sleep of 12 hours. Not just quantity, quality of sleep also matters!

MYTH

Only men are affected by OSA.

FACT

It is more prevalent in men, but kids and women are not spared. Failure to recognise the problem in women and kids is the reason for underdiagnosing them.

MYTH

Only overweight and obese individuals’ area affected

FACT

While, OSA is more prevalent in overweight individuals, almost 20% of OSA patients are normal or mildly overweight.

MYTH

I can cure OSA by lifestyle modifications alone

FACT

Lifestyle modifications, ranging from dietary changes, to weight loss, exercise, quitting alcohol and tobacco plays a huge role in management of OSA, but more often than not this may not be enough.

MYTH

Only surgery or using CPAP machine is the treatment

FACT

No one modality can take care of OSA alone

Treatment plans may involve multiple modalities. Surgery can either be an alternative or more often than not an adjunct to CPAP therapy apart from lifestyle modification of course

MYTH

OSA treatment is a single shot treatment

FACT

OSA management is a journey, treatment results also do not become evident overnight. Whether there is surgery involved or CPAP, benefits of the treatment are known in 8-12 weeks minimum and sometimes more

MYTH

OSA can be managed by a single doctor alone

FACT

Depending on the cause, OSA requires a multidisciplinary approach involving an ENT surgeon, Dental Surgeon, Endocrinologist, Pulmonologist and sometimes psychiatrist as well.

These are only a few bullet points. The list otherwise is exhaustive. If you believe your sleep is affecting your day-to-day life or that of your loved ones, try reaching out to your clinician for further evaluation.

DON’T IGNORE THE SNORE