Definition of OSA

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the partial or total closure of the upper airway, resulting in reduction, or cessation of airflow despite persistent respiratory effort.
The location of airway collapse varies from patient to patient. It may be due to a soft palette, enlarged tonsils, or the base of the tongue falling back into the throat. Please note that OSA requires breathing effort – the throat collapses during the attempted inhalation phase, and the patient continues trying to breathe, despite the obstruction.

Another type of apnea event is Central Apnea. This happens when the patient stops trying to breathe. Central Apnea’s may be present in Obstructive Sleep Apnea, but they are not the primary events. A patient with predominantly Central events does NOT have sleep apnea, and other treatments would be indicated. Far fewer patients have Primary Central Apnea than Obstructive Sleep Apnea.