What are the causes of obstructive sleep apnea?

By Abhijeet Tate


Posted Abhijeet Tate

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA ) is a chronic disease in which the sufferer has periods of partial or completely interrupted breathing during sleep. Patients tend to snore , which is an additional disturbance to sleep. Due to the quality of sleep in danger, they may feel tired and irritable daily . Also include developing several serious health complications due to the state.

There are three types of sleep apnea , but OSA is the most common form. It is manifested by the fall in the muscles and soft in the back of the throat tissues during sleep. The muscles involved supporting the tongue, soft palate - the muscle at the back of the throat that is used in the speech and tonsils. When these muscles relax, the airway can become completely blocked cutting part and the oxygen in the blood. When oxygen levels drop , the brain will wake up the body of deep sleep to allow the individual to resume normal breathing.

There are some factors involved that can leave people at greater risk of developing the disease. They may include the following;

    Overweight people usually carry a larger volume of soft tissues in the neck causing a strain on the muscles of the throat
    Having a large neck can lead to an increased risk of developing OSA
    Excess fat in the abdominal area can also lead to respiratory problems and worsen OSA
    Men are more prone to the OSA while the reason is not known , it is believed to be related to the difference of the distribution of fat in the entire body compared to the design in women
    The occurrence of OSA is not age specific , however, is more common in people over forty years
    The use of sedative -type drugs can contribute to OSA - including tranquilizers and sleeping pills
    The internal structure - the size of the neck of the tongue and tonsils , of course , play a role
    The presence of an excess of folds in the lining of the mouth
    During menopause a change in hormone levels can cause the throat muscles to relax and take the condition occurs
    Family history of the disease can make you more sensitive to obstructive sleep apnea
    Obstructive sleep apnea is three times more common in people with diabetes
    Obstructive sleep apnea is twice as common in people with nasal congestion , which may be due to a narrowing of the airways that is known to congestion
    Alcohol may exacerbate both snoring and sleep apnea
    People who smoke are three times more likely to develop sleep apnea

Unfortunately , the disease can be difficult to diagnose unless a sponsor is aware of the excessive sleep disturbance .

If you have any questions or inquiries regarding the status please do not hesitate to contact your doctor who will advise you accordingly and make necessary referrals .

Abhijeet Tate is the author of this article on http://3fivetwo.com/healthcare/serviceinfo/Sleep_Clinic