### What Causes Obstructive Sleep Apnea and How Is It Treated? **Causes:** Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when something blocks part or all of your upper airway while you sleep. This blockage can be due to several factors such as obesity, swollen tonsils, or other health issues like endocrine disorders or heart failure. The muscles that control your airway may relax too much, narrowing your throat and causing you to wake up briefly to reopen your airway. This can happen multiple times each hour without you even realizing it. **Symptoms:** Common signs of OSA include loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, and waking up with a dry mouth. You might also experience daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. In children, symptoms might include bedwetting, hyperactivity, and poor school performance. **Diagnosis:** To diagnose OSA, your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about your sleep habits. You might need to spend a night in a sleep lab or have a sleep study done at home, where monitors will measure your breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and other vital signs. **Treatment Options:** 1. **Weight Loss:** Losing even a small amount of weight can help reduce symptoms. 2. **Avoid Alcohol and Sleeping Pills:** These substances can relax your airway muscles too much. 3. **Sleep Position:** Sleeping on your side can help if you only have mild OSA when sleeping on your back. 4. **Nasal Sprays:** These can help if nasal congestion is a problem. 5. **CPAP Machine:** This device uses a mask to provide constant air pressure to keep your airway open. 6. **Oral Devices:** Dental appliances can help keep your airway open by adjusting the position of your tongue or jaw. 7. **Surgery:** In severe cases, surgery might be needed to remove or adjust tissues blocking your airway. Types of surgery include UPPP, nasal surgery, and mandibular advancement surgery. **Complications:** If left untreated, OSA can lead to serious health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Therefore, it's important to seek medical advice if you suspect you have this condition.