When we sleep, our muscles tend to relax but our throat muscles need to maintain some inflexibility to keep our airway properly open. For some people, the muscles relax too much which causes the airway to collapse and prevents air from getting into the lungs during sleep. Usually this is caused due to extra tissue in the back of the airway, such as large tonsils or the tongue falling back and closing off the airway.

A small amount of airway blockage will result in snoring. However, just because you snore - doesn't mean you have OSA. Snoring is the vibration that results from air passing through a partially narrowed airway. In a person with OSA, the narrowing of the airway is far more significant and sometimes causes a complete reduction of airflow to the lungs. People with OSA will either partially or completely awaken during these periods. Most are completely unaware this happens.

Normal airway during sleep

Obstructed airway during sleep

To learn more about Obstructive Sleep Apnea, contact us today to make an appointment.