What is OSA?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) occurs when a person repeatedly stops breathing during sleep. Breathing stops due to a collapse in the airway, making it impossible for air to reach the lungs. This disrupts sleep patterns, which often results in sleepiness or fatigue during the day.

Causes of a blocked airway

• Extra tissue in the airway, such as large tonsils
• Decrease in tone of muscles holding airway open
• Tongue closing off the airway

Signs and Symptoms of OSA

• Snoring, interrupted by pauses in breathing
• Gasping or choking during sleep
• Excessive sleepiness or fatigue during the day
• Irritability
• Depression
• Obesity
• Frequent urination at night
• Memory loss

Possible effects of untreated OSA

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Fatigue-related accidents

What should you do?

If you think you may have Obstrutive Sleep Apnea, see your doctor for a referral to a sleep disorder specialist who can give you an evaluation. You may require a sleep study. This will provide the doctors with information about how you breathe during your sleep, which will help determine your diagnosis and treatment options.

Recommended treatment

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the most widely used treatment for OSA. Less common treatments include surgery and oral applicances, which may be effective for some people with OSA. Lifestyle changes may be part of your treatment plan, including weight loss (if necessary); good sleep hygiene; and avoidance of alcohol, sedatives, and hypnotic drugs.

How does CPAP work?

Through the use of a specially designed mask, CPAP provides a gentle flow of positive pressure air that opens your airway during sleep. This helps regulate your breathing and eliminates snoring. Once restful sleep is restored, the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and fatigue-related accidents is reduced.

We can help

UI Community HomeCare is an affiliate of University of Iowa Health Care. We are a full-service medical equipment provider serving Iowa and western Illinois. Through a contract with Apria Healthcare, UI Community HomeCare will provide the appropriate therapy or aid at home for as long as necessary.

Equipment can be purchased or rented and will be customized according to your needs. UI Community HomeCare will deliver equipment, free of charge, and provide you with instructions. For many of our clients, insurance covers a majority of the services and medical equipment.

Our staff includes:

• Trained respiratory therapists
• Clinical support technicians
• Insurance specialists

To obtain equipment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea or other respiratory disorders contact: Lisa Schmidt #337-8522 ext. 109.