Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by interruptions in breathing during sleep. People with sleep apnea will partially awaken as they struggle to breathe and are often not aware of these disturbances taking place.

Obstructive sleep apnea (mild, moderate, and severe) tends to develop after body weight increases and age advances, with obesity being the most salient risk factor for the development of obstructive sleep apnea.

In addition to obesity, other anatomical features associated with obstructive sleep apnea -- many of them hereditary -- include a narrow throat, thick neck, and round head. Contributing factors may include hypothyroidism, excessive and abnormal growth due to excessive production of growth hormone (acromegaly), and allergies and other medical conditions such as a deviated septum that cause congestion in the upper airways.