Recent advances in managing obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a rapidly increasing global concern. If it remains untreated, it can lead to cardiovascular, metabolic, and psychiatric complications and may result in premature death. The efficient and effective management of OSA can have a beneficial effect and help reduce the financial burden on the health sector. There has been constant development in OSA management, and numerous options are available. The mainstay of therapy is still the conventional measures and behavioral modifications. However, in cases of failure of these modalities, surgical therapy is the only option. Numerous studies have shown that proper management of OSA has beneficial effects with good long-term outcomes.

Keywords: Sleep apnea; Obstructive; Continuous positive airway pressure; Concepts; Pharmacological

Core Tip: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that is responsible for not only its symptoms but is also a causative disorder for many chronic and morbid diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic disorders. While patients with OSA have various treatment options with varied success, conservative modalities, airway pressure devices, pharmacologic modalities, and surgical options must be customized based on individual patient needs.