Obstructive Sleep Apnea, a sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts due to throat muscle relaxation. It can also refer to the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica.
As a medical acronym, OSA developed in the late 20th century from 'Obstructive Sleep Apnea'. The place name Osa comes from Spanish, possibly meaning 'she-bear' or from indigenous languages of Costa Rica.
The medical term OSA represents a condition that wasn't widely recognized until the 1960s, despite affecting millions throughout history. Ancient people likely attributed the loud snoring and daytime fatigue to character flaws rather than understanding it as a serious medical condition that can affect heart health and cognitive function.
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