Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that occurs when the muscles that support the soft tissues in your throat, such as your tongue and soft palate, temporarily relax, causing the airway to narrow or close and breathing to be momentarily cut off. This can happen off and on many times during sleep, leading to fragmented, nonrestorative sleep. OSA is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder, and it affects more than 60 million Americans.

Some common symptoms of OSA include snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, daytime fatigue and sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. OSA can also lead to more severe health consequences if left untreated, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and depression.

OSA can be diagnosed after being observed sleeping at a sleep clinic or by using a testing device worn overnight at home. Treatments for OSA are available, and they include making lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, and sleeping on your side. Another treatment option is a device that uses positive pressure to keep the airway open during sleep. In some cases, a mouthpiece to thrust the lower jaw forward during sleep or surgery might be an option too. Its important to visit your GP in case you need to be referred to a sleep specialist for further tests and treatment.