Watch a video demonstrating the process of obstructive sleep apnea.
The cycle of sleep apnea begins with normal snoring. Later, as the upper airway narrows further, it completely obstructs the airway, resulting in sleep apnea. (Read more about...) Sleep apnea)
When the airway is completely obstructed, no air can flow into our lungs. If this breathing cessation occurs repeatedly during sleep, it will result in a significant decrease in the level of oxygen saturation in the blood, or Oxygen Saturation (SpO2).
This reduces the amount of oxygen the brain receives. When the brain is deprived of oxygen, the body will wake the patient to restart breathing. Once the brain receives sufficient oxygen, the patient will return to deep sleep.
But then breathing becomes difficult again, and the brain has to wake itself up once more, repeating this cycle throughout the night. This disrupts sleep, resulting in insufficient rest, leading to headaches and an overwhelming feeling of drowsiness upon waking, as if no one slept the night before, even though one had actually slept for many hours.
