How Important Is it to Address Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Patients with Chronic Lung Disease?

The human airway is a remarkably versatile structure with different portions of the airway undertaking differing functions. The nasal passages serve as the initial conduit for air performing tasks of filtration, olfaction, and humidification. The muscular upper airway starting from the velopharynx performs additional functions of swallowing and speaking, and to undertake these volitional activities, the upper airway is endowed with skeletal musculature which relaxes during sleep, making it vulnerable to collapse during each breath.
Source: Sleep Medicine Clinics - Category: Sleep Medicine Authors: Tags: Preface Source Type: research