Obstructive Sleep Apnea

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What is obstructive sleep apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a more common and serious type of apnea. In this type, the onset of sleep does not affect the diaphragm. There is, however, an abnormal loss of tone (healthy elasticity) in the muscles of the tongue, throat, and larynx during sleep. As a result, at the onset of or during sleep, the throat collapses and the air flow is completely blocked. During the apneic episode, the diaphragm continues to contract rhythmically with a progressively greater effort against the closed airway until finally a partial or complete awakening occurs and normal breathing is resumed.

   

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