title: Therapeutic options for obstructive sleep apnea.
abstract: Obstructive sleep apnea is a common, chronic disorder characterized by the cessation or reduction in airflow due to periodic mechanical obstruction of the upper airway passage during sleep. Symptoms and signs of sleep apnea include daytime sleepiness, fatigue, poor concentration, snoring, resuscitative snorts, and related occupational accidents. Sleep apnea is classified into 3 types based on its severity and management varies accordingly. The first step in treatment is to identify correctible causes and educate patients on lifestyle modifications. Positive airway pressure is the preferred treatment modality and can be delivered via 3 different modes. Oral appliances are of 3 types and are generally indicated in mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Surgery is a final therapeutic option that focuses on the removal of excessive tissue from different sites of the pharyngeal airway.
authors.affiliation: Divisions of 1Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine and 2Cardiology, Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY.
authors.forename: Benesa S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Baby
authors.forename: Wilbert S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Aronow
authors.forename: Dipak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chandy
mesh_terms: D058109:Airway Management / Q000379:methods*; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / Q000379:methods; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*