Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: Review Article

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a relatively common disorder that affects people of all ages, but is most prevalent among the middle-aged and elderly. Affected individuals experience repeated collapse and obstruction of the upper airway during sleep, which results in reduced airflow (hypopnoea) or complete airflow cessation (apnoea), oxygen desaturation, and arousals from sleep. Adverse clinical outcomes associated with OSA include: cardiovascular disease, hypertension, non-insulin dependent diabetes, and increased likelihood of motor vehicle and other accidents due to daytime hypersomnolence. Studies estimate the prevalence of OSA at approximately 10 to 20 percent of middle-aged and older adults. Evidence also indicates that these rates are rising, likely due to increasing rates of obesity. The assessment might include at-home or in-hospital monitoring. A differential diagnosis of snoring or the type and severity of sleepdisordered breathing is communicated to the orthodontist at the time of referral. The orthodontist examines the patient to determine which oral appliance is best suited to his or her needs. Orthodontists who get involved in this form of therapy are often surprised at how grateful their patients are after only a few nights of sleep without interruption and the subsequent restoration of adequate sleep. Substantially changing the quality of a patient's life with an oral appliance can be a very rewarding experience. Present article is the systemic review of literature regarding the studies done from past 70 years regarding about OSA, etiology, diagnosis & its treatment planning.