OSA Risk Factors Essay

OSA risk factors

Anyone can have sleep apnea, from young children to individuals over 70. Typically, OSA is found more in men, but there are many risk factors that increase ones’ chances of having the sleep syndrome. Snoring, obesity, genetics, and medical abnormalities have shown potential for predicting the occurrence of OSA in all ages ranges.

Snoring has been an unofficial critical marker of OSA because its presence signals a possible problem with air movement to and from the lungs. Snoring affects both the sufferers and their partners, who become almost responsible for ensuring the issue becomes addressed as a medical problem. Sleep deprivation show elevated levels of an immunologic proteins in blood called cytokines, which indicates a heighten state of inflammation. Inflammation is believed to contribute to diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

Obesity is another predictor of sleep apnea Obesity is primary risk factor for OSA. Added weight means the level of fat increases on the back of the throat, consequently narrowing the airway. Weight loss can reduce the risk greatly, but no guarantee.

Genetics do play

A nursing assessment can address the severity of symptoms by obtaining a complete physical and mental background. They will check the mouth, nose, and throat looking for enlarged tonsils, or a droopy soft palate, and inquire about a patients typical sleeping behaviors, bedtime routines, alcohol use, and smoking habits will be addressed. Measurements such as weight, height, pulse, and blood pressure will be taken, in order to determine if pulmonary hypertension is occurring. Family members can further provide the nurse descriptions of the nightly behavior they have seen firsthand. If symptoms of OSA can be determined, a referral to a sleep specialist is the next step in diagnosing the patients’ severity levels of sleep