Pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea
https://doi.org/10.33667/2782-4101-2025-3-24-28
Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep-related breathing disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of upper airway obstruction leading to apnea and hypopnea. A combination of anatomical and functional factors contributes to the development of OSA: narrowing of the upper airway (e.g., due to obesity or craniofacial features), reduced tone of pharyngeal dilator muscles during sleep, increased ventilatory drive (ventilatory control instability, high loop gain), and a low arousal threshold. These factors promote pharyngeal collapse during sleep with episodes of hypoxia and arousals. Recurrent intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation trigger a cascade of reactions – sympathetic activation, oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction — which underlie cardiovascular complications (hypertension, atherosclerosis, arrhythmias), metabolic disturbances (insulin resistance, appetite-related hormonal imbalance), and neurocognitive consequences (daytime sleepiness, cognitive dysfunction).
About the Authors
D. B. Sodnomov
Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (Pirogov University)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Sodnomov Dashinima Barasovich
Moscow
A. S. Timriazanskii
Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (Pirogov University)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Timryazansky Aleksey Stanislavovich
Moscow
G. D. Omarova
Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (Pirogov University)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Omarova Gidayat Dzhabrailovna
Moscow
U. A. Dzhabrailova
Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (Pirogov University)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Dzhabrailova Umuraziyat Abdullaevna
Moscow
Y. A. Nurlubaeva
Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (Pirogov University)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Nurlubaeva Yulduz Alibulatovna
Moscow
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Review
For citations:
Sodnomov D.B., Timriazanskii A.S., Omarova G.D., Dzhabrailova U.A., Nurlubaeva Y.A. Pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea. International journal of Innovative Medicine. 2025;(3):24-28. https://doi.org/10.33667/2782-4101-2025-3-24-28
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