What causes sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when muscles in the back of the throat relax.
These muscles support many structures such as the soft palate, uvula, tonsils and tongue. When these muscles relax, the patient’s airways are being narrowed or closed during the inhalation and breathing is momentarily cut off. The most important consequence is low level of oxygen in blood. The patients may sometimes make a snorting, choking or gasping sound. This pattern can repeat itself 20 to 30 times or more each hour, all night long. 

Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea is is far less common then the obstructive sleep apnea. It usually occurs when the patient’s brain fails to transmit signals to the muscles included in breathing process. The patients usually wake with shortness of breath. and are more likely to remember the awakening than people with obstructive sleep apnea.

Risk factors

Obstructive sleep apnea

• Excess weigh
• Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
• A naturally narrow throat
• Being male
• Age
• A family history of sleep apnea
• Use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers

Central sleep apnea

• Stroke or brain tumor
• Neuromuscular disorders
• High altitude

Diagnosis of sleep apnea

There are three tests which are commonly used to detect sleep apnea:

Nocturnal polysomnography
During this test, the patient it attached to the equipment that monitors the heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels all through the night.

Oximetry
This screening method involves using a small machine that monitors and records the patient’s oxygen level during sleep. A simple sleeve fits painlessly over one of the fingers to collect the information overnight at home. 

Electroencephalogram (EEG)
This test monitors the patient’s brain waves and can reveal repeated awakenings associated with sleep apnea.

Possible complications

There are several complications that could occur in relation to someone who has sleep apnea:

• Cardiovascular problems
• Daytime fatigue. 
• Complications with medications and surgery
• Sleep-deprived partners

Treatment of sleep apnea

Therapies

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
If the patient was diagnosed with sleep apnea, he or she may benefit from a machine that delivers air pressure through a mask placed over the nose. Although this is a very good method of treating sleep apnea, many people find it uncomfortable.

Dental devices
There are certain dental devices which are designed to open the throat by bringing the jaw forward. They may be also used for relieving snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea.

Surgery or other procedures

The goal of surgery for sleep apnea is to remove the excess tissue from the nose or throat that may be vibrating and causing the soring, or that may be blocking the upper air passages and causing sleep apnea. Surgical options may include:

• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

During this procedure, the tissue from the rear of the patient’s mouth and top of the throat is removed. Tonsils and adenoids are usually removed as well.

• Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty

This procedure involves the use of a laser to remove a part of soft palate and shorten the triangular piece of tissue hanging from your soft palate (uvula).

• Radiofrequency ablation

During this procedure a doctor uses radiofrequency energy to remove tissue from uvula, soft palate and tongue, which may help decrease snoring and the risk of sleep apnea.

• Tracheostomy

During this procedure, a surgeon makes an opening in the neck and inserts a metal or a plastic tube through which the patient can breathe.