Obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome - snoring-associated sleep apnea syndrome in the elderly population

Abstract

Introduction: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome – OSAHS, is defined as the set of repetitive episodes of occlusion of the Upper Airway – VAS, during sleep with fragmentation of the same; when associated with excessive daytime sleepiness, cardiovascular disease and snoring, it is considered a syndrome. (1). With a higher prevalence in men and people over 40 years of age, OSAHS brings with it long-term cumulative effects that are associated with a wide range of health consequences, including an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack and stroke, which affect the quality of life and longevity (2), which is why it is considered a public health problem (3), (4). OSAHS is one of the 90 sleep disorders reported in the third edition of the International Classification of Sleep Disorders - ICSD (5) and is the central theme of the research project presented in this text; particularly in the older adult population (5). The document also sets out the contributions of therapeutic intervention in SAHOS based on evidence from Orofacial Motricity (6), (7), (8).