obstructive sleep apnea [OSA]
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by repetitive partial and/or complete collapses of the upper airway, associated with arousals/awakenings and/or decreases in oxygen levels in the blood. The episodes last more than 10 seconds, by definition, but can last up to 30-60 seconds. Untreated sleep apnea may cause daytime sleepiness and increased risk of cardiovascular events, such as high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.
Synonyms:
sleep apnea