Sleep Apnea Causes
Each type of Sleep apnea has its own cause depending upon the patient's health. Obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea and mixed sleep apnea are the three categorized sleep apneas that are the results of different causes. Obstructive sleep apnea, which is one of the common apnea, is the result of a blocked airway in the throat. It leads to the break in the breathing cycle and causes sudden breathing. This situation reduces the flow of oxygen in blood. There are some common factors that cause sleep apnea. These causes include the following factors:
- Airway Blockage
When a person's throat muscles are more relaxed than normal, it can cause sleep apnea. If a person sleeps on the back with his mouth agape, the breathing may stops. That person will wake up because of breathlessness and then breathe fast. If these types of incidents occur frequently, the patient needs to sleep on his stomach or on one side. This way, the patient will get enough sleep without any interruptions.
- Large Tonsils
If the person's tonsils are inflamed, it can become a cause of sleep apnea. However, Uvulopalatopharryngoplasty is the only surgical treatment used for this problem in which the uvula is removed. Soft tissues around the uvula also need to be removed in this surgery.
- Overweight
When a person gains weight, muscles in all parts of the body gain weight. Soft tissues are no exception for it. The fatty tissues in throat can block breathing when a person sleeps. The patient needs to use a moth piece for proper breathing that will keep the jaw in right position for breathing.
- Alcohol
The overdose of alcohol or any other alcoholic drug may affect the brain in controlling the breathing system. This can also cause a blockage in breathing.
- Medication
Sometimes medication used for psychological problems can result in the relaxation of breathing muscles. Medicines for allergy and anxiety can also cause sleep apnea. Therefore, one must consult with a doctor about the side-effects of these medicines.
- Acid Reflux
Severe acid refluxes have scar tissues around the uvula. This regular scarring will finally result in the blocked airway in the throat, which will become the major cause of sleep apnea.
The other causes of sleep apnea include stress, smoking, asthma and mouth breathing. It is also studied that certain structures of the skull can also be responsible for sleep apnea; however, this happens in rare cases. Untreated sleep apnea can result in some changes in the body. Hence, sleep apnea patients must seek treatment for the disease immediately after it is diagnosed.
