SLEEP-APNEA SYNDROME

The goal of this paper is to outline a practical approach to the overall management of patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the most common organic disorder of excessive daytime somnolence. Since it was first described, there have been broad advances in its understanding and treatment. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a many-sided problem that has taken years to evolve in the patient (tipically middle-aged, over-weight men) who complain of loud snoring, daytime tiredness, fatigue or sleepiness, restless sleep, headaches, nicturia and impaired performance. An impairment of the upper airway patency during sleep located essentially at the pharyngeal level, leads to the development of this syndrome which has a significant adverse impact on longevity. Until thirteen years ago there was only one treatment: tracheostomy. Today, in addition to different surgical techniques available, we have an effective non-invasive long-term treatment: Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).