Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that can cause serious health issues, such as heart problems and blood pressure. If left untreated, it can lead to loud snoring, tiredness during the day, and breathing problems during sleep. Even though it can affect anyone, it is most common in overweight and aging men. Here are ten causes of sleep apnea

1. Physical characteristics
Sometimes, a person’s anatomical features, such as their jaw, neck, tongue, and tonsils, are positioned at the back of the throat to impact the airflow. It has often been a leading cause of sleep apnea and its related symptoms.

2. Obesity

Being obese is not only generally unhealthy but also a risk factor for sleep apnea. According to research, not keeping your body weight in check can increase the risk of sleep apnea up to six times by narrowing the airways.

3. Use of alcohol and sedatives

Sedatives and alcohol can relax the tissues in your throat, making it easier for them to obstruct the airflow.

4. Family history

If you have close relatives or someone in your immediate family suffering from sleep apnea, then you are likely to develop the condition too.

5. Smoking

Smokers are known to be at a higher risk of developing sleep apnea than those who do not smoke.

6. Back sleepers

People who are used to sleeping on their backs can often experience blockage in their airways. This happens when the tissue collapses at the back of your throat, obstructing the airflow.

7. Nose blockage

Nasal congestion due to nose blockage can impact the person’s ability to breathe through the nose. If you are unable to breathe properly due to nose blockage, then your chances of developing obstructive sleep apnea increases.

8. Hormonal imbalances

When you have hormonal disorders, such as hypothyroidism or excessive growth hormone, then your risk of developing sleep apnea increases. This is due to the inflammation of tissue located near the airways.

9. Muscular changes

Sleeping can relax the muscles and tongue responsible for keeping your airways open. As a result, your airways become constricted. Normally, the slackening of muscles does not obstruct the airflow in and out of the lungs. However, this is not the case if you have sleep apnea.

10. Cognitive function

The neurological control of your breathing malfunctions when you are suffering from sleep apnea. As such, the control and rhythm of your breathing can get impaired. Sleep apnea is usually a precursor to an underlying condition, such as stroke or an existing heart condition. When your airways are blocked, the snoring may stop completely with no breathing for up to 20 seconds or until the brain instructs the muscles to resume airflow. Although this process can happen multiple times during the night, the person experiencing it may not be aware of the problem.

Knowing about the causes of sleep apnea can help you identify the problem and seek medical treatment in time.