Q: My question is, why does sleep apnea get worse in REM sleep?
Dr. Smith: Obstructive sleep apnea is almost always worse in REM, because they are paralyzed and can’t compensate for an obstruction by thrusting their mandible and tongue forward. They just continue to be obstructed. When the REM AHI is at least twice the NREM AHI, the new term is REM-related OSA. Most common in women, and even more common in young women.
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