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  Obstructive Sleep Apnea — Everything You Need to Know Do you snore a lot? Do you feel exhausted, tired and sleepy throughout the day, despite having slept at night? If you answered yes to those questions, there is a high chance you are suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea? OSA is a common sleep disorder that causes involuntary cessation of breathing during sleep. It is caused by intermittent relaxation of the throat muscles, which block the airway while a person is sleeping. This results in shallow breath and even brief stoppage of breathing while asleep. The most common characteristic of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring. As the air gets squeezed through the narrow airway, it makes the snoring noise that you hear. Obstructive sleep apnea can cause progressive asphyxia which increases breathing effort and forces a person to awaken from sleep. Since the upper airway is obstructed, the diaphragm and chest muscles must make extra effort to open

Asthma — Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment There are many potential causes of  asthma , including genetics, allergies, and air pollution. Symptoms can vary from mild shortness of breath to severe attacks that make it difficult to breathe.  Asthma  is diagnosed with a physical exam and by testing lung function. Treatment typically includes a combination of medications and lifestyle changes. Asthma  is a chronic  lung disease  that inflames and narrows the airways. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Asthma is caused by environmental factors, such as smoke, dust, and pet dander, and by genetic factors. It is diagnosed with a medical history and physical exam and may be confirmed with tests that measure how well you breathe. Treatment includes medications to open the airways and control inflammation and avoid triggers. Symptoms of asthma include wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing.