Diabetes Standards of Care & Clinical Practice Resources
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The most common form of sleep-disordered breathing is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). An apnea is a temporary absence or cessation of breathing, lasting 10 or more seconds. With OSA, the upper airway collapses, obstructing air flow, even as the person makes an effort to breathe.
OSA is associated with comorbidities such as hypertension, obesity or overweight, memory problems, headaches, erectile dysfunction, and cardiovascular disease. In patients with diabetes, OSA increases the likelihood of worse glycemic control.
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea Sections
Quickly jump to a section on this page by clicking on one of the links below.
- Section 1 – Clinical Practice Recommendations: Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Section 2 – Clinician and Educator Resources: Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Section 3 – Patient Education Resources: Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Clinical Practice Recommendations
Recommendations for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Assess patients for symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including snoring, observed apnea during sleep, and daytime somnolence:
- Consider using a standardized sleep apnea screening tool.
- Refer patients who screen positive for OSA symptoms for further evaluation such as a sleep study.
Clinician and Educator Resources
Health Care Professional Resources
American Sleep Apnea Association
IDF Consensus Statement on Sleep Apnoea and Type 2 Diabetes [PDF]
International Diabetes Federation
Patient Education Resources
American Lung Association
American Sleep Apnea Association
Mayo Clinic
Your Guide to Healthy Sleep [PDF]
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute