Sleep

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) causes your upper airway to repeatedly collapse during sleep, cutting off your breathing for short periods. This fragments your sleep and lowers your oxygen levels overnight, leaving you exhausted during the day. OSA is very common and very treatable — most people notice a dramatic improvement within days of starting treatment.

Symptoms to Watch

Loud snoring, often noticed by a bed partner or family member
Gasping, choking, or being told you stop breathing during sleep
Waking unrefreshed despite a full night's sleep
Excessive daytime sleepiness — dozing while reading, watching TV, or even driving
Morning headaches
Difficulty concentrating or memory problems during the day
Waking frequently to urinate during the night
Irritability or low mood

How We Diagnose

1Home sleep test (portable sleep study) — convenient and accurate for most people with suspected OSA
2In-lab polysomnography for complex, uncertain, or severe cases
3Epworth Sleepiness Scale and STOP-BANG questionnaire to assess the likelihood and severity
4Blood pressure check — OSA is closely associated with high blood pressure
5BMI measurement and upper airway assessment to guide treatment choice

Your Treatment Plan

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy — the most effective treatment for moderate to severe OSA
Auto-CPAP or BiPAP for patients who find standard CPAP pressure uncomfortable
Mandibular advancement device (a custom mouth guard) for mild to moderate OSA
Weight management and lifestyle modifications — even modest weight loss significantly reduces OSA severity
Positional therapy for patients whose OSA is worse when sleeping on their back
Surgical referral for anatomical causes of upper airway obstruction when appropriate

When to See a Doctor

See Dr. Shah if you snore loudly, are told you stop breathing during sleep, or feel excessively sleepy during the day — untreated OSA significantly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and road accidents.