Factors that risk the development of sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition, wherein your breathing is interrupted when you are asleep. If left untreated, sleep apnea may cause your breathing to stop numerous times, during your sleep. Interrupted breathing will cause a reduction in the supply of oxygen to your brain and other parts of your body, resulting in fatal consequences. There are typically two types of sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea This type is more common and occurs when the soft tissues in the throat relax, causing a blockage in the airway. The airway is either fully blocked or narrowed down, thereby hindering your breathing. This will cause you to snort, choke or gasp, and lead to your sleep being interrupted. Some factors determine that whether you are at risk for obstructive sleep apnea are: Weight: You are likely to have fat deposits around your airway, if you are obese, which can obstruct breathing. Neck circumference: If you have a thicker neck, you might have narrower airways. A narrowed airway: Your narrow airway may be genetic. Children often have swollen tonsils or adenoids which can block the airway. Sex: You are three times more likely to suffer from sleep apnea if you are a man.