In this article
- What is Sleep Apnea?
- What Causes Sleep Apnea in Adults?
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
- Central Sleep Apnea:
- Risk Factors Associated with Sleep Apnea Causes
- Complications Arising from Sleep Apnea
- Treatment Options
- Taking the Next Step
- References:
- What is sleep apnea?
- What causes sleep apnea in adults?
- How can sleep apnea be treated?
- How does weight relate to sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition affecting a significant portion of the global population. Yet, many still need to familiarise themselves with its causes, impacts, and associated risk factors. This article highlights the reasons behind sleep apnea, primarily focusing on adults in South Africa.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is when an individual's breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. You might suffer from sleep apnea if you snore loudly and feel tired even after a whole night's sleep.What Causes Sleep Apnea in Adults?
There are multiple causes of sleep apnea in adults. These causes play a pivotal role in either creating an obstruction in the airway or making it challenging for the brain to transmit the right signals to the muscles responsible for breathing.Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
This is the most common form and happens when the throat muscles relax excessively, causing the airway to collapse or become blocked during sleep.Central Sleep Apnea:
Unlike OSA, central sleep apnea isn't caused by a blocked airway. Instead, the brain fails to transmit the correct signals to the muscles controlling breathing.Risk Factors Associated with Sleep Apnea Causes
- Weight: Obesity significantly raises the risk of sleep apnea. Fat deposits around the upper airway might obstruct breathing. However, not everyone with sleep apnea is overweight, and weight loss can help improve or eliminate symptoms for some people.
- Nasal Congestion: If you struggle to breathe through your nose because of an anatomical problem or allergies, you are more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea.
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Sleep apnea is common in people with hypertension.
- Heart Disorders: People with heart failure are at higher risk. Also, having obstructive sleep apnea increases the risk of recurrent heart attack.
- Diabetes: Sleep apnea causes are also more common in people with diabetes.
Complications Arising from Sleep Apnea
- Cardiovascular Issues: Sleep apnea causes sudden drops in blood oxygen levels, increasing blood pressure and straining the cardiovascular system. This makes people prone to heart attack and heart disease.
- Daytime Fatigue: The constant waking episodes at night result in daytime sleepiness, making driving or operating machinery dangerous.
- Type 2 Diabetes: Sleep apnea increases the risk of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
- Issues with Medications and Surgery: Obstructive sleep apnea concerns certain medications and general anaesthesia.
