If you wake up feeling as if something is preventing your airways from opening, have difficulty breathing during the night, or just can’t understand why you’re so tired, these are potential signs of sleep apnea. It’s a disorder in which the airway takes an abnormal route in the back of the throat and closes up for periods of time during sleep.
You should consult a Burlington, Ontario family dentist if you are experiencing these symptoms. The treatment for both snoring and sleep apnea treatment options may include a series of appliances that you can use for as long as necessary to improve your health.
For now, let us now see into the common causes of sleep apnea.
- Excess weight
The most common cause of sleep apnea is obesity. The excess weight puts constant pressure on the airway, making it harder for air to pass through and reach the lungs. If you are too heavy, it is important to follow a proper diet, and make sure you get enough exercise every day.
- Age
Your body changes with age. For example, as you grow older, your heart beats faster, and with time, your metabolism slows down, which can also lead to sleep apnea. With age, the muscles of your jaw, tongue, and base of the tongue weaken. And that can affect the position of your tongue and block the airway.
- A narrowed airway
Your airway anatomy can also determine whether you are more prone to sleep apnea or not. A narrow airway is a common cause of sleep apnea. If the passageway into your lungs is too small, it becomes extremely difficult for the muscles in your throat to push the air into your lungs.
- Nasal congestion
If your nose is inflamed, it’s very likely that mucus will build up and prevent you from breathing normally. Nasal congestion is one of the most common causes of sleep apnea since the tissues inside your nostrils swell during your sleep and block the passage of air.
- Smoking
Smoking slows down the blood supply to your heart and muscles, causing you to breathe more slowly. If you smoke before going to sleep, you may stop breathing and wake up with a jolt, gasping for air.
- Medical conditions
People who have a history of stroke and heart disease also experience sleep apnea. Since these conditions affect their blood circulation, it is likely that you will have the same fate if you have the same history.
