Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
A condition where the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing breathing pauses. The most common type of sleep apnea, typically treated with PAP therapy.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder where the muscles supporting the upper airway relax during sleep, allowing the soft tissue to collapse and block airflow. Each blockage (apnea) or partial blockage (hypopnea) can last from 10 seconds to over a minute, causing oxygen drops and brief arousals as the brain wakes to restore breathing.
OSA severity is traditionally classified by AHI: mild (5-15 events per hour), moderate (15-30), and severe (above 30). The standard treatment is Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) therapy, which uses air pressure delivered through a mask to splint the airway open during sleep.
However, effective treatment goes beyond simply reducing AHI below 5. Residual flow limitation, which falls below the threshold for AHI scoring, can persist even on well-titrated PAP therapy. This is why AirwayLab was created: to detect the flow limitation, RERAs, and breathing instability that standard AHI monitoring misses, giving users and clinicians a more complete picture of therapy effectiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes obstructive sleep apnea?
OSA occurs when the muscles supporting the upper airway (pharynx) relax during sleep, allowing the soft tissue to narrow or collapse. Risk factors include anatomical features (narrow airway, large tonsils, retrognathia), obesity, age, alcohol use, and supine sleeping position.
Can you still have sleep apnea symptoms on CPAP?
Yes. Even with CPAP keeping AHI below 5, residual flow limitation can cause fatigue and sleep disruption. This is because AHI only measures complete or near-complete airway obstructions, while partial narrowing (flow limitation) and RERAs continue to fragment sleep.
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Medical Disclaimer
AirwayLab is not a medical device and is not FDA-cleared or CE-marked. It is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The analysis results should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult qualified healthcare providers regarding your sleep therapy and any changes to PAP settings.