What Causes Sleep Apnea?

There are in fact two types of sleep apnea Novato. Central breathing patterns; this condition can be caused by a brain tumor, heart condition or stroke. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused when the muscles in the back of the throat relax and thus constrict one's airways. 

Obstructive sleep apnea results in snoring and interrupted sleep cycles, leaving a person (and his or her significant other) feeling tired and lacking in energy.

Root Causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea has many causes. Those who are overweight are more likely to have problems with this form of apnea than those who are at their proper weight. Age also plays a role; the older one gets, the more susceptible he or she may be to sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea can also be a genetic condition. Some people are born with a narrow airway and thus have a difficult time breathing at night. A person is also more likely to have sleep apnea problems if a close family member also has problems with this condition.

Bad health habits can also cause sleep apnea. Smoking increases inflammation and fluid retention in one's upper airway, thus making it harder to breathe at night than it would have been otherwise. Alcohol, sedatives and/or tranquilizers can also cause problems, as they relax the muscles in the back of the throat, causing them to block one's airway.

There are other causes of this condition as well. These include allergies, a thick neck and/or a receding chin. Gender and race also play a role; young African Americans are more likely to contract sleep apnea than those of other races and men are twice as likely to have obstructive sleep apnea than women.

Getting Help

There are many reasons why a person has problems with sleep apnea and in many cases two or even more factors may be causing the problem. However, the good news is that sleep apnea is not an incurable problem. A Novato sleep center can often treat the problem and give a person good advice as to how to prevent future breathing problems. 

Those who have (or suspect they may have) apnea should seek medical help right away so as to be able to sleep well at night and enjoy the benefits that getting enough sleep brings.