Sleep apnea is a severe sleep disorder. A person with this disorder experiences an irregular starting and stopping of breathing during sleep. It occurs when the upper airway becomes obstructed or the brain does not transmit the signals essential for respiration. These lead to the reduction or complete cessation of the airflow, resulting in sleep apnea. This condition is widespread in the country.

The causes and risk factors of sleep apnea are multiple. Information provided here can help you understand the risk factors better.

There are three types of sleep apnea — obstructive, central, and mixed. The most common causes that induce these different types of sleep apnea are:

Obesity: Most frequently, obesity becomes the cause of sleep apnea. Obesity increases fat deposition in the neck area leading to the blockage of the upper airway. Thus, people with this condition suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.

Neuromuscular conditions: Sleep apnea can be caused due to various neuromuscular conditions like myotonic dystrophy, stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, post-polio syndrome, myasthenia gravis, dermatomyositis, Chiari malformations, or Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. In people with these conditions, the brain does not send necessary signals to the airways causing central sleep apnea.

Large tonsils: Having large tonsils can make the airways less wide and thereby can result in sleep apnea.

Endocrine disorders: The endocrine system is responsible for some hormones that control sleep. Hence, endocrine disorders like hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or acromegaly can affect sleep-related breathing and cause sleep apnea.

Kidney and heart failure: Fluid build-up in the neck due to advanced kidney and heart failure can also lead to sleep apnea.

Genetic syndromes: Genetic syndromes like Down syndrome, cleft lip and palate, or congenital central hypoventilation syndrome can lead the tongue to a position in the distant back of the mouth or result in the formation of smaller facial bones. These may cause cessation in breathing during sleep.

Various factors give rise to this severe sleep disorder. Some risk factors can be altered to prevent the condition while other aspects are beyond one’s control.

Age: Sleep apnea is prevalent across all ages. However, older adults are more likely to develop sleep apnea because of general age-related changes.

Sex: This disorder is more common in men as compared to women. However, even women are at risk of developing sleep apnea post-menopause or if they are obese.

Genetics: People who have a family history of sleep disorder are more at risk of developing sleep apnea.

Bad habits: Unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as smoking, drinking, or lack of sleep hygiene, increase the chances of sleep apnea.

If untreated for an extended period, this disorder can lead to various life-threatening health issues like cardiovascular diseases, weight gain, impotence, memory problems, and high blood pressure. Thus, it is better to rule out the causes and risk factors of sleep apnea wherever possible.