Beyond Obesity – Common Additional Causes of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that causes you to stop breathing while you sleep. People with sleep apnea will snore loudly and may wake up feeling tired, even after sleeping all night. While many people suffer from sleep apnea due to obesity, there are other causes of this condition. TheAlabaster dentist at Albritton and Ardovino Family Dentistry can help you get relief so you feel rested every morning. Here are the causes of sleep apnea that you should know.

Anatomical Problems

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax, allowing the soft palate to close your throat. Your brain then realizes you aren’t getting enough oxygen, waking you up so you can reposition and start breathing properly again. Though obesity can cause obstructive sleep apnea, it can also occur due to a small lower jaw or overall positioning of the mouth, regardless of weight. These types of anatomical problems have little to do with weight but still cause the condition.

Nasal Congestion

Nasal congestion can contribute to sleep apnea problems, particularly if it is chronic. If you’re chronically congested due to anatomical issues or seasonal allergies, you may develop sleep apnea as a result.

Using Sedatives or Tranquilizers

Sleep aids can relax the muscles in the throat. This makes your risk of obstructive sleep apena worse, parituclalry if you are already at a high risk.

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions seem to correlate with sleep apnea. These include:

• High blood pressure
• Type 2 diabetes
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Chronic lung disease
• Hormonal disorders

Poor Brain Signals

Central sleep apnea is a type of sleep apnea that has a neurologic cause. This type occurs when the brain does not send the right signals to the muscles that cause breathing while you sleep. You may stop breathing because your brain isn’t telling your body to breathe.

If you need sleep apnea treatment in Alabaster, reach out to our team to schedule an appointment today.