Three Reasons Why You May Develop Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea CauseCommon Causes of Airway Blockage
Young and old can suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. If you are one of these people, you would certainly want to know everything you can about this sleep disorder, as well as how to prevent it from becoming a serious threat to your health. It is a breathing problem while sleeping and occurs when the airways are obstructed or blocked, preventing the air from passing into the lungs.
1. Tapered Airways
Some people have naturally tapered airways, and this in itself can already considerably increase the chances of that person suffering from sleep apnea. During sleep, the airways can become even more tapered, either because of the sleeping position or other triggers that can tighten up the air passages, further increasing the risk of sleep apnea.
2. Being Over-Weight
Another common cause of obstructive sleep apnea is obesity. In fact, a huge percentage of sleep apnea in recent years have been diagnosed in people who are extremely overweight. It might seem ridiculous at first but the excess fats that have formed in the throat area of an obese person can actually cause them to stop breathing while asleep, which if not addressed properly can even lead to death.
3. Inflamed Airways
Smokers also have a higher risk of suffering from this apnea sleep disorder due to inflamed airways. Smoking allows all kinds of unhealthy substances to pass through your air passages and these substances can eventually cause inflammation in the area. The airways then become narrower, which makes it harder to breathe especially while sleeping. Infections can also cause a similar effect once the airways start swelling up.
In most cases of obstructive sleep apnea, what happens is that when the airways are blocked and the person stops breathing, the struggle to get air into the lungs would usually be enough to wake them up and get them to start breathing again. This is why most people who are suffering from the condition report waking up frequently throughout the night, although they might not always remember the reason why they woke up in the first place.
At the very least, obstructive sleep apnea can cause a person to feel tired and sluggish during the following day, which can certainly be an inconvenience. But in more serious cases, this type of sleeping problem can trigger the development of other illnesses such as heart problems, diabetes and the increased risk of strokes.
In order to avoid suffering from these consequences, it is best to seek sleep apnea treatment for right away. Your doctor will be able to recommend the right treatment for you so you should go in for a consultation as soon as you notice the first symptoms of the condition.
Charles Moore provides information and resources on many sleep problems and treatments. For more information on the risk factors and causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, visit 'Apnea Sleep Disorders' http://apneasleepdisorders.com/