Sleep and breathing disorders: the genesis of obstructive sleep apnea

Sleep encompasses approximately a third of our lives; however, sleep and the disorders of sleep are not widely understood. Data suggest that sleep plays a restorative role in physiologic mechanisms and that long-term disruption of sleep may contribute to the development of disease. Nearly a third of the adult population is chronically afflicted by sleep disorders, and substantial economic loss is attributable to these disorders in terms of lost time, inefficiency, and accidents. Of the sleep disorders, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the more common, clinically affecting up to 5% of the adult population. Obstructive sleep apnea contributes to the development of disease and has an adverse impact on daytime functioning in those affected by the disease. This article reviews basic sleep physiology, how these physiologic mechanisms are disrupted by OSA, and some of the techniques for treating patients with this disorder.