Obstructive sleep apnea
Also known as:
OSA
Repeated airway collapse during sleep, strongly linked to obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Written and reviewed by Farhan Tahir, MD · Last reviewed
VIDEO LESSON
What it is
During sleep the throat relaxes and the airway narrows or closes, oxygen drops and the brain briefly wakes to reopen it, often dozens of times an hour. Excess fat around the neck and tongue is a major driver.
Symptoms
• Loud snoring and witnessed pauses in breathing
• Daytime sleepiness and morning headaches
• Waking to urinate at night
• Hard-to-control blood pressure
How it's diagnosed
Screening tools such as STOP-BANG flag risk; a home sleep test or lab polysomnography confirms it and measures severity with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI).
Treatment
CPAP remains the most reliable therapy. Weight loss reduces severity: tirzepatide was FDA-approved in 2024 for moderate to severe OSA in adults with obesity after the SURMOUNT-OSA trials. Oral appliances, positional therapy and hypoglossal nerve stimulation suit selected patients.
Key studies and references
Educational content only, written and reviewed by Farhan Tahir, MD. It does not replace individual medical advice. For sudden chest pain, trouble breathing or stroke symptoms, call 911.
AT A GLANCE
Category
Heart & related conditions
Also known as
OSA
Reviewed by
Farhan Tahir, MD
Questions about your own care?
Dr. Tahir’s team offers consults through Youthful Medicine.
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