Obstructive Sleep Apnea Causes

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleeping disorder whereby breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. OSA is caused by the sleep-induced relaxation of throat muscles that support the soft palate, uvula, tonsils, and tongue, causing complete (apnea) or partial (hypopnea) blockage of the upper airway.  This blockage prevents air from flowing into the lungs and results in insufficient oxygen levels in the blood and organs—a condition known as hypoxia.

Hypoxia triggers a breathing reflex in the brain that briefly awakens the person from sleep in order to resume normal air flow. Pauses in breathing typically last from 10 to 30 seconds but can continue for up to a minute. In severe cases, up to 50 or more breathing pauses can occur in a one-hour period. People who suffer from OSA frequently snore loudly and sometimes make snorting or choking sounds.

Risk factors for OSA include age, smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension, and chronic nasal congestion.  The causes of OSA can be exacerbated by sleeping position, with back sleepers suffering from more frequent episodes.

Occurance

Although OSA can occur in people of all ages, it is typically seen in middle age and older adults.

An increased risk for developing OSA is more often found in males, post-menopausal women, certain ethnic backgrounds, and those with family history.

More than half of OSA sufferers are overweight, and there is a strong link between OSA and obesity.

OSA is particularly common in those with a thick neck (defined as a circumference of greater than 17 inches for men and 16 inches for women) where fat deposits can inhibit air flow.

One study has shown that even modest weight loss can lessen the number of apnea or hypopnea episodes per hour and lead to improved sleep.

The worldwide prevalence of OSA is expected to grow as the number of people with obesity continues to rise.

OSA occurs in people of all ages with craniofacial abnormalities or who possess anatomical features that make them prone to airway blockage. This includes people with large tongues, a small lower jaw, or Down syndrome.

In addition, certain medical conditions such as a deviated septum, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or chronic nasal congestion can lead to airway obstruction and interrupted sleep patterns.

OSA is also found in children.  Between 1% and 10% of children experience OSA.  These occurrences typically develop during ages 3-6 and are caused by enlarged tonsils and adenoids.

The surgical removal of the tonsils and adenoids is the treatment of choice for this condition.

As with adults, some children also experience OSA due to craniofacial abnormalities or obesity. In these cases, OSA symptoms can be alleviated with weight loss, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and surgery, similar to adults.

Association with Cardiovascular Disease

OSA is a potentially serious medical condition because fluctuating blood oxygen levels put pressure on the heart and vasculature.

OSA sufferers typically exhibit increased risked factors for cardiovascular disease such as hypertension, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and inflammation.

Several studies have confirmed the link between OSA and cardiovascular disease, concluding that people with OSA are more likely to suffer from hypertension, coronary artery disease, stroke, and heart failure.

Further Reading

• All Obstructive Sleep Apnea Content
• What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea Pathophysiology
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea Diagnosis
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatments

Written by

Susan Chow

Susan holds a Ph.D in cell and molecular biology from Dartmouth College in the United States and is also a certified editor in the life sciences (ELS). She worked in a diabetes research lab for many years before becoming a medical and scientific writer. Susan loves to write about all aspects of science and medicine but is particularly passionate about sharing advances in cancer therapies. Outside of work, Susan enjoys reading, spending time at the lake, and watching her sons play sports.