Causes of Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea Causes: Risk Factors

The following conditions have been cited in various sources as potentially causal risk factors related to Sleep apnea:

• Snoring
• Overweight
• Obesity
• Hypertension
• Airway abnormality
• Nose abnormality
• more risk factors »

Sleep apnea Causes: Male-Female Gender Ratio

Gender of Patients for Sleep apnea: More common in men....more »

Sleep apnea: Related Medical Conditions

To research the causes of Sleep apnea, consider researching the causes of these these diseases that may be similar, or associated with Sleep apnea:

• Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
• OSA syndrome
• Pickwickian syndrome
• Obstructive hypoventilation
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• OSA
• Sleep-induced apnea
• Upper airway obstruction
• Oxygen desaturation
• Hypercarbia
• Autonomic stimulation
• Sleep fragmentation
• Disordered breathing during sleep
• Obstructive apnea

Sleep apnea: Causes and Types

Causes of Types of Sleep apnea: Review the cause informationfor the various types of Sleep apnea:

• Obstructive sleep apnea - cause by an airway obstruction or narrowing.
• Central sleep apnea - caused by a brain signalling failure.
• more types...»

Causes of Broader Categories of Sleep apnea: Review the causal information about the various more general categories of medical conditions:

• Sleep disorders
• Sleep disorder
• Under-diagnosed conditions
• Sleep conditions
• Respiratory conditions
• Child health conditions
• more types...»

Sleep apnea as a complication of other conditions:

Other conditions that might have Sleep apnea as a complication may, potentially, be an underlying cause of Sleep apnea. Our database lists the following as having Sleep apnea as a complication of that condition:

• Adenoid disorders
• Adenoiditis
• Mucopolysaccharidosis type I Hurler syndrome
• Tonsilitis

Sleep apnea as a symptom:

Conditions listing Sleep apnea as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Sleep apnea. Our database lists the following as having Sleep apnea as a symptom of that condition:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 3
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 6
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 7
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 8
• Arnold-Chiari malformation type 2
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, Type 1A
• Chromosome 17, trisomy 17p11.2
• Glaucoma -- sleep apnea
• Glycogen storage disease type 2
• Glycogenosis type 2
• Hallermann-Streiff Syndrome
• Hurler syndrome
• Insomnia with sleep apnea
• Joubert Syndrome
• Marfan syndrome
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Mucopolysaccharidosis type I Hurler syndrome
• Pompe disease
• Potocki-Lupski syndrome
• Type II Glycogen Storage Disease
• WAGR Syndrome
• Wilms tumor -- aniridia -- genitourinary anomalies -- mental retardation

Medications or substances causing Sleep apnea:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Sleep apnea as a symptom. This list is incomplete and various other drugs or substances may cause your symptoms. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Beractant
• Survanta
• Midazolam Hydrochloride
• Versed
• Dormicum
• more drugs...»

See full list of 7 medications causing Sleep apnea

What causes Sleep apnea?

Article excerpts about the causes of Sleep apnea:
Certain mechanical and structural problems in the airway cause the interruptions in breathing during sleep. In some people, apnea occurs when the throat muscles and tongue relax during sleep and partially block the opening of the airway. When the muscles of the soft palate at the base of the tongue and the uvula (the small fleshy tissue hanging from the center of the back of the throat) relax and sag, the airway becomes blocked, making breathing labored and noisy and even stopping it altogether. (Source: excerpt from Sleep Apnea: NWHIC)

Medical news summaries relating to Sleep apnea:

The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Sleep apnea:

• Childhood obesity tripling in concern
• Children’s snoring may need medical attention
• Common sleep disturbance frequently undiagnosed
• Depression and sleep apnea link
• Metabolic syndrome (X)
• Pregnancy-induced hypertension predicts metabolic syndrome in later life.
• Risky obesity surgery
• Sleep apnea is a frequently undiagnosed condition in obese children
• Sleeping problems pose high risk for adverse health effects
• More news »

Related information on causes of Sleep apnea:

As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Sleep apnea may be found in:

• Risk factors for Sleep apnea
• Medications that may cause Sleep apnea
• Genetics of Sleep apnea
• Hidden causes of Sleep apnea