Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which people stop breathing for brief periods during sleep and snore regularly, causing daytime sleepiness and poor-quality sleep.

There are several types of sleep apnea, but the most common is obstructive sleep apnea. This type of apnea occurs when the muscles in your throat momentarily relax and block your airway while you sleep. An evident sign of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring.

Airflow

Risk factors

• Overweight
• Narrow airways
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Chronic nasal congestion
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Sex, most frequently in males
• A family history of obstructive sleep apnea
• Asthma

What to do

• Get a diagnosis through a polysomnography/ sleep study.

Where to go

Center for Respiratory Medicine “Thorax”

Building B – 4th floor
Clínica Ricardo Palma
(511) 224-2224 extension: 4000