Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common category of sleep-disordered breathing. The muscle tone of the body ordinarily relaxes during sleep, and at the level of the throat the human airway is composed of collapsible walls of soft tissue which can obstruct breathing. Mild occasional sleep apnea, such as many people experience during an upper respiratory infection, may not be significant, but chronic severe obstructive sleep apnea requires treatment to prevent low blood oxygen (hypoxemia), sleep deprivation, and other complications.
Individuals with low muscle tone and soft tissue around the airway (e.g., because of obesity) and structural features that give rise to a narrowed airway are at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea. The elderly are more likely to have OSA than young people. Men are more likely to suffer sleep apnea than women and children are, though it is not uncommon in the last two population groups.[
The risk of OSA rises with increasing body weight, active smoking and age. In addition, patients with diabetes or "borderline" diabetes have up to three times the risk of having OSA.
Common symptoms include loud snoring, restless sleep, and sleepiness during the daytime.
Sleep apnea can affect people regardless of sex, race, or age. However, risk factors include:
being male
excessive weight
an age above 40
large neck size (greater than 16–17 inches)
enlarged tonsils or tongue
small jaw bone
gastroesophageal reflux
allergies
sinus problems
a family history of sleep apnea
deviated septum[19]
Alcohol, sedatives and tranquilizers may also promote sleep apnea by relaxing throat muscles. Smokers have sleep apnea at three times the rate of people who have never smoked.
Central sleep apnea is more often associated with any of the following risk factors:
being male
being older than 65 years
having heart disorders such as atrial fibrillation or atrial septal defects such as PFO
stroke
High blood pressure is very common in people with sleep apnea.
