The causes fall into two main categories:
Obstructive: Obstructions or blockages may be due to obesity, adenoids and large tonsils (particularly common in children), irregular physical structure (larger tongue or uvula or narrow airways) or weak throat muscles. Asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), allergies, excessive stress and constricted sleeping position may also contribute.
Central: This may be due to neurological disorders, strokes, neurodegenerative diseases, surgical complications or even radiotherapy.
There are many causes of sleep apnea. Some are listed below.
- When you are asleep the throat muscles and tongue relax more than normal, and the fleshy tissue at the back of ones throat called the uvula also relaxes whilst one sleeps. This can sometimes cause an obstruction which restricts the passage of air causing the sufferer to stop breathing. They then wake up due to a lack of oxygen but then they drift back to sleep straight away. Normally the sufferer is totally unaware of the problem although it can happen throughout the night. It can however affect how they feel during the day.
- An obstruction to the passage of air through the nose and throat due to large tonsils and adenoids. This is the most common cause of sleep apnea in children.
- In susceptible people, alcohol and drugs causes the muscles of their breathing system to relax and may cause the sleep problem.
- Damage to the lung's surfaces through smoking is another risk factor. Unfortunately passive smokers are also put at risk.
- Allergies may increase the chances of having an apnoeic episode due to nasal congestion.
- It is thought in many quarters that various diseases of the thyroid glands contribute to the sleep disorder.
- Although snoring is not a direct indication it has been implicated. People who snore regularly inhale a lot of air whilst snoring which causes the soft tissue in the throat to lengthen. This stretching over time may cause the obstruction of air movement.
- Age is another important cause. As one gets older you lose some amount of muscle mass and its elasticity. This can cause the airway to become blocked which in turn leads to congestion and breathing problems.
- Lack of exercise and obesity seem to be interlinked. If one does not exercise then you are likely to gain weight which will in turn lead to a greater probability of suffering from the disorder.
- Weight gain makes one more prone to sleep apnea. More deposits of fatty tissues gather in ones throat when one gains weight, causing the airways to narrow. This can cause the sufferer to snore more loudly and makes them more prone to waking up. Sleep apnea affects the levels of hormones in the body. The level of Leptin which suppresses appetite is reduced and the level of Grehlin is increased which increases the desire for food. As a result the sufferer is drawn into a vicious cycle causing even more weight to be put on.
Sleep ApneaAs one can see, there are many causes of Sleep Apnea. How many times have you lain awake until the early hours trying to get some much needed sleep, only to be kept awake by your partner's snoring? This happens all too often and is not a laughing matter. You deserve a good night's sleep.