WHO GETS OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA, AND WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Obstructive sleep apnea is most commonly seen in middle-aged men. While the condition is made worse with obesity, it can occur in thin people. Most people with OSA state they are tired in the morning when awakening. They have trouble making it “through the day” and are very tired in the afternoon. While not all patients who snore have obstructive sleep apnea, almost all patients with obstructive sleep apnea are very loud snorers. The spouse or partner of the OSA patient will have observed the apneic episodes, and often report needing to shake or nudge the patient to “get them to breathe.” OSA patients will frequently wake up throughout the night. They may get out of bed to get a drink or go to the bathroom multiple times. They may also have six or seven awakenings in which they do not get out of bed. Finally, patients with OSA often report having trouble at work. They may have decreased memory and concentration. They may have trouble operating machinery, and in particular have trouble
