FreeMD® Sleep Apnea Underlying Cause

Sleep Apnea

Underlying Cause

Sleep Apnea Underlying Cause

Sleep apnea is usually caused by an obstruction of the upper airway that occurs during sleep.

The most common causes of obstruction include:

Large soft palate
Large tongue
Large tonsils
Large uvula
Obesity
Small jaw

Continue to Sleep Apnea Types

View more Neck and throat problems topics

Related Conditions

Enlarged tonsils
Obesity
Snoring

Insomnia

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Last Updated: Aug 5, 2008 References

Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD

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Sleep Apnea References:

Bottini P, Tantucci C. Sleep apnea syndrome in endocrine diseases. Respiration. 2003 May-Jun;70(3):320-7.
Goncalves MA, Paiva T, Ramos E, Guilleminault C. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, sleepiness, and quality of life. Chest. 2004 Jun;125(6):2091-6.
Guilleminault C, Lee JH, Chan A. Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2005 Aug;159(8):775-85.
Kohler M, Bloch KE, Stradling JR. The role of the nose in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnoea and snoring. Eur Respir J. 2007 Dec;30(6):1208-15.
Li KK. Surgical therapy for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2005 Feb;26(1):80-8.
Norman D, Loredo JS. Obstructive sleep apnea in older adults. Clin Geriatr Med. 2008 Feb;24(1):151-65, ix.
Wieber SJ. The cardiac consequences of the obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome. Mt Sinai J Med. 2005 Jan;72(1):10-2.