Sleep Apnea: Causes and Treatment

Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing stops for 10 seconds or more and starts quite repeatedly. This is a serious disorder that results in less oxygen in the blood causing discomfort and sleep obstruction.

Clinics offering sleep apnea treatment in San Antonio say that sleep apnea is of the following two types:

• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Central sleep apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea also referred to as OSA is caused when there is an issue with the mechanics of your breathing. There are numerous other causes and risk factors of OSA which are explained below.

• Obesity
• Smoking
• A narrow throat
• Medical conditions causing congestion in upper airways
• A round head
• Allergies
• Drug abuse or alcohol consumption

A dentist in San Antonio, TX says that obesity is one of the common causes of obstructive sleep apnea. Do you know that the majority of people suffering from sleep apnea have excess weight or obesity problems?  A BMI between 25 and 29.9 indicates excess weight, while a BMI of 30 or above is a sign of obesity.

Obstructive sleep apnea is not uncommon in children and there can be several reasons behind their cause. It could be due to Down syndrome that causes the enlargement of tonsils, tongue, and adenoids. Childhood obesity or Pierre-Robin syndrome could be the other two reasons behind obstructive sleep apnea.

According research by Sleep apnea center in San Antonio, ignoring sleep apnea issues could lead to cardiovascular problems, premature death, and accidents.

Central Sleep Apnea

It is quite strange but true! Medical experts have not been able to find out the root cause of central sleep apnea which is also referred to as CSA. In childhood, the reason for central sleep apnea is not clear which is called idiopathic by medical experts; however few reasons that could obstruct the brain signals to enable the normal breathing process which are as under:

• Cerebral palsy
• Premature birth
• Head injury
• Smoking during pregnancy
• Problems with brain stem or skull base

In adults, certain heart conditions, stroke or kidney failure might lead to CSA.

If you are suffering from OSA or CSA, you are advised to get in touch with an expert for sleep apnea treatment in San Antonio as soon as possible.

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