Does obesity cause sleep apnea?
Asked by brendaminor448 on Nov 16, 2009
in Health Conditions
Does obesity cause sleep apnea? I've always snored, but when I passed a certain weight, it got much worse, and then I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. Now that I have lost 60 pounds, I'm able to sleep a little bit better, but I notice that the apnea is still present.
Answer
Obesity is a risk factor for sleep apnea, not the cause, and there is increasing evidence that sleep apnea may itself promote weight gain. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that involves pauses in breathing during sleep. It happens when the muscles in the rear of the throat relax and collapse to block the airway. Excess pounds can bulk up tissues in and around the airway, but sleep apnea can affect anyone regardless of weight. OSA is exacerbated sleeping on your back, smoking, alcohol, and some prescription medications. Enlarged tonsils, a deviated septum, or a smaller-than-normal airway also make it worse.
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