Obstructive sleep apnea can result in problems like chronic tiredness and other serious health conditions. The symptoms in adults and children can vary according to their age factors.

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Visible Symptoms of OSA
(Obstructive Sleep Apnea)
Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery

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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the most common kinds of sleep disorders. It is
caused by the repeated pauses in air flow during breathing, while the person is asleep.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs due to the blocking, floppiness and narrowing of the airway
by distorted, bulky and lax pharyngeal tissues. As the essential organs get insufficient
supply of oxygen, OSA can lead to various problems such as chronic tiredness and other
serious health conditions.
Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The symptoms in adults and children can vary according to their age factors. In adults the
symptoms seen are:

Excessive sleepiness or hypersomnia, during any situation or time of the day. The
person suffering from the disorder tends to fall asleep while reading, driving a car,
watching TV or just sitting.

A heavy bout of snoring is experienced by people suffering from OSA.

Cessation of breathing while asleep

Experience of morning headaches

Forgetfulness

Feeling of impatience or grumpiness, depression and irritability

Severe OSA causes swelling in the legs

Night-time dryness or sourness in the mouth

Pain in the chest or sweating experienced while asleep

Feeling of heartburn during night-time

OSA patients tend to gasp for breath or choke while sleeping

Tossing and turning while asleep
Symptoms seen in children are:

Sleeping longer than normal as per their age

Feeling of irritability

Hyperactive and inattentive for no obvious reason

Bedwetting

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
Excessive sweating during night

Experiencing morning headaches

Feeling of restlessness

Disturbed sleep, waking up often during night

Inward movement of the ribcage, while breathing in

Flaring nostrils and laborious breathing

Breathing through the mouth

Snoring

Lethargic feeling

Growth of weight not normal as per his age
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep apnea surgery and CPAP (Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure) are two of the
common treatment methods for obstructive sleep apnea disorder. However, the latter
method is the more common and preferred one. The CPAP method involves providing
adequate air pressure, which results in restoring regular sleep patterns and reducing
daytime sleepiness. There are certain side effects seen in the patients using CPAP method,
due to the machine being heavy and inconvenient. Sleep apnea surgery is preferred by
patients having the following problems:

Extreme or moderate forms of OSA

Excessive sleepiness experienced during daytime and low AHI (Apnea Hypopnea
Index)

No relief provided by non-surgical treatment

Aberrations of structural airways

Health disorders such as hypertension and heart arrhythmias co-existing along with
OSA
If any of the above symptoms are prevalent or noticed, immediate medical help should be
sought. Ensure to get yourself treated by an experienced plastic surgeon having excellent
credentials and sufficient experience in treating sleep apnea problems.

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About Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery
Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery is an established surgical center based in Houston,
Texas offering effective cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. For more details, visit
www.hpcsurgery.com.
Contact Information
6400 Fannin, Suite 2290
Houston, TX 77030
Ph: 713-791-0700
Fax: 713-719-0703