Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by the narrowing – sometimes to the point of obstruction – of the patient’s upper airways as the muscles relax, entering the deeper stages of sleep. air flow in the respiratory tract (apneas) or reductions (hypopneas), followed by micro-awakenings that allow normal breathing to resume. The repetition of these events, in the long run, alters the structure of sleep which is fragmented and not very restful. The core symptoms of sleep apnea are snoring, a choking sensation, excessive movement during sleep, and partner-reported apneas. With the worsening of OSA, a complex clinical picture occurs, which has repercussions on the state of health and well-being, called Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) characterized by specific daytime symptoms:
- Somnolence
- Morning headache
- Problems with concentration and memory.
These main symptoms are often associated with others such as easy irritability, sudden mood changes, depression, tachycardia, arterial hypertension up to severe heart failure called cor pulmonale”. No less important are the symptoms related to the digestive system caused by respiratory problems that involve heartburn and esophagus, increased frequency of urination at night and heavy sweating. The risk factors of OSAS are linked to obesity, poor muscle tone, particular structural-anatomical characteristics of the upper airways (accumulation of fat on the face and neck, abnormal palatal or mandibular structures, tonsillar hypertrophy) as well as to a diet and an incorrect lifestyle (consumption of alcohol, tobacco, exciting substances …). “