Causes of sleep apnea include obesity, asthma, GERD, and lifestyle choices. No matter what the cause, the result is the same: breathing is interrupted, disrupting sleep.
The causes of sleep apnea range from obesity and acid reflux to central nervous system disorders and physical abnormalities. No matter what the cause, the results are the same: the throat collapses or becomes obstructed, causing breathing to stop for several seconds.
Sleep Apnea and Obesity
Sleep apnea and obesity have an interrelated relationship. There is little doubt in the medical community that excess weight can cause sleep apnea: the extra fat and soft tissue in the throat puts pressure on the airway, increasing the chance that the airway passage will collapse. Sixty to seventy percent of sleep apnea patients are obese.
While obesity is a cause of sleep apnea, the relationship between sleep apnea and obesity is even more complex. Additional weight gain is a common sleep apnea symptom, so obesity can cause sleep apnea, and sleep apnea in turn can worsen obesity.
Some studies indicate that physical size, rather than obesity, increases the risk of sleep apnea. A study of NFL players found a disproportionate number of the athletes had sleep apnea symptoms.
Sleep Apnea, Acid Reflux, and GERD
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a possible cause of sleep apnea. GERD symptoms occur due to acid reflux. Stomach acid seeps into the esophagus, damaging esophageal tissue. In cases of severe GERD, acid reflux can cause scarring and tissue damage as far up the throat as the vocal cords. Chronic acid reflux can scar the inside of the throat, causing obstructions that result in sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea and Asthma.
Asthma and allergies are potential sleep apnea causes. Asthma causes the airways to spasm, increasing the risk that the airways will collapse during sleep. Allergies also cause airway inflammation and congestion, increasing the risk of obstructive sleep apnea
Physical Sleep Apnea Causes
The physical shape of a person's throat and head can be causes of sleep apnea. Small airways are easier to obstruct than large ones, so people with abnormally small windpipes have a higher than normal risk of sleep apnea. Bone structure in the skull and neck can result in smaller than normal airway passages.
Tonsils and adenoids can also be a sleep apnea cause. Naturally large or inflamed tonsils or adenoids can block the throat, causing sleep apnea. Enlarged tonsils are a common cause of childhood sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea and the Central Nervous System.
Neurological problems rarely cause sleep apnea, but can occur, resulting in a condition known as central sleep apnea. In the case of central sleep apnea, the brain's instructions to the throat are either scrambled or blocked. With no signal to stay open, the throat relaxes and collapses.
Sleep Apnea Causes and Lifestyle
Certain lifestyle choices increase the chance of developing sleep apnea. Smoking irritates the throat and lungs, increasing the chance of airway spasms and throat closure.
Alcohol and some medications relax the throat muscles, making it harder to keep airways open while asleep. Alcohol and tobacco use also increases the risk of GERD-related heartburn, itself a sleep apnea cause.
Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute in any way for care and treatment by a qualified health professional.
