What causes Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) commonly occurs when the throat muscles and tongue relax during sleep and partially close the airway. When the muscles of the base of the tongue, the soft palate and the uvula (the small fleshy tissue hanging from the center of the back of the throat) relax and sag, the airway becomes blocked, making breathing labored and noisy. Breathing can even stop completely.

Obesity aggravates the narrowing of the airway and causes other changes which intensify OSA. With a narrowed airway, air cannot easily flow into or out of the nose or mouth. Other medical conditions associated with OSA include diabetes, congestive heart failure, depression, stroke and high blood pressure, or hypertension.

Using alcohol and sleeping pills also increases the frequency and duration of apneas.

The results are heavy snoring, cessation of breathing for short periods, and frequent awakenings that reduce the amount of time spent in the most restful stages of sleep.