Understanding OSA: More Than Just Snoring

A nearly 50-year-old truck driver, Mr. Chen, frequently experienced fatigue while driving, leading to several accidents. After seeking medical attention due to a severe "incident," he was diagnosed with severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), with over 60 breathing interruptions per hour during sleep.

Dr. Hong Wei-Cheng, an attending physician in the Department of Otolaryngology at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, highlighted that while occasional snoring is common, intermittent breathing interruptions during snoring—characterized by sudden silence followed by a loud gasp—could indicate worsening OSA. Long-term occurrence of such symptoms warrants medical examination and treatment.

OSA patients experience recurrent oxygen deprivation and disrupted sleep cycles due to airway obstruction during sleep. This can lead to various health complications, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and even cognitive decline and depression. Research indicates that severe OSA patients have a 2.6 times higher mortality rate, a 2.5 times higher risk of traffic accidents, and a 1.5 times higher risk of hypertension compared to the general population.

Statistics show that approximately 10% of adults in Taiwan suffer from OSA. However, the actual diagnosis rate is much lower. This is mainly because snoring is often mistaken for simple fatigue, and self-awareness is difficult. Furthermore, traditional diagnostic procedures require an overnight hospital stay and a long waiting list, deterring many from seeking timely treatment.

Dr. Hong emphasized that while factors such as gender, age, and family history are unchangeable, modifiable risk factors for OSA include overweight/obesity (high BMI), high blood pressure, smoking, and alcohol consumption. By adjusting lifestyle habits, individuals can effectively reduce their risk of developing OSA.

Source: Taiwan Shin Sheng Daily News https://tw.news.yahoo.com/share/b00e3b73-e1ee-3150-b493-36303ef363bf

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