Obstructive Sleep Apnea: ENT Perspective

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disease characterized by recurrent complete or partial obstruction of the upper airways during sleep [1]. It affects approximately 2–4% of adults and its recognition is gradually increasing. As a result of collapse in the upper airways, hypoxia, hypercapnia, increased sympathetic activity, arousal, and sleep disruptions occur in patients [2]. With the effect of these changes, daytime sleepiness, decrease in quality of life, increase in work and traffic accidents, consciousness and attention disorders, and long-term metabolic and cardiovascular complications may develop [3]. In this respect, OSA concerns many medical departments in terms of its causes and consequences. The detection of an obstructive pathology that may exist in the upper airway and the surgical treatment of these pathologies are performed by otolaryngologists. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023.