Obstructive Sleep Apnea: An Overview of Symptoms, Complications, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a major public health problem in both developed and developing
countries. It commonly causes fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness, poor night-time sleep,
depression, poor memory, and loss of concentration. It also has long-term complications including
uncontrolled hypertension, atrial fibrillation, heart attack, stroke, and congestive heart failure. OSA
also increases the risk of traffic accidents. The importance and awareness of this disease is low
among both the general population and physicians. There are many misconceptions about this
disease and various treatment options available which cause delays in the diagnosis and
treatment of OSA. This paper will discuss the signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, its
potential complications and how to diagnose and treat this condition.