Osa

OSA is an acronym that can refer to several terms in health, science, and technology. The most common uses are obstructive sleep apnea, a medical condition, and the Optical Society of America, a professional organization for optics and photonics. Depending on the field, OSA may also denote Open Systems Architecture, a design approach for interoperable and modular systems.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by recurrent partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway during sleep. This can cause reduced or paused breathing, fragmented sleep, and daytime fatigue. Risk factors include obesity, male sex, and older age, among others. If untreated, OSA is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic health risks. Diagnosis typically involves sleep studies, such as polysomnography. Treatments include lifestyle changes, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, and, in some cases, surgical options. Effective management often improves sleep quality and reduces associated health risks.

The Optical Society of America (OSA), now branded as Optica, is a professional society founded in 1916 to advance the science and application of optics and photonics. It supports researchers and engineers through journals, conferences, standards development, and educational resources. The organization publishes scholarly journals, hosts conferences, and provides networking and career services for professionals in the field of light-based technologies.

Open Systems Architecture (OSA) refers to design principles that favor interoperable, modular, and vendor-neutral system components. It is used in information technology, aerospace, defense, and other sectors to enable easier integration, scalability, and long-term maintainability of complex systems.