​Pathology - Obstructive Sleep Apnea

​Pathology - Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obesity, hypothyroidism, cigarette smoking, and hypertension are all risk factors.
Primarily afflicts males in their middle age.
The lack of normal pharyngeal muscular tone causes the pharynx to collapse during inhaling, leading to a blockage in the upper airway during sleep.

Medical Presentation 
Davtime sleepiness and cognitive impairment are characterized by the occurrence of thrashing movements and loud snoring during sleep.
Complications encompass pulmonary hypertension accompanied by right heart failure, systemic hypertension, and cardiac arrhythmias.
Laboratory results: Episodes of apnea observed during the sleep study (polysomnogram), accompanied by an increase in red blood cell count (erythrocytosis).

Treatment options include weight loss, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and surgical removal of pharyngeal soft tissue (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) in some situations.
Central sleep apnea occurs when breathing is disrupted due to a lack of effort.