What Causes Sleep Apnea?

What causes sleep apnea? Well this is a question that many people have, who are dealing with this sleep disorder. There are actually a variety of different things out there that can cause sleep apnea. However, no matter what actually causes the problem, you still get the same results. People still have a hard time breathing, since their breathing actually stops, which ends up disrupting their sleep. So, if you are interested in learning what may be causing your sleep apnea problem so you can find a better treatment for it, here are a few of the most common causes of this problem.

Cause #1 - Tongue and Throat Muscles Relaxing - In some cases, sleep apnea can be caused b the tongue and the throat muscles relaxing too much. When these muscles relax more than they normally should, they can end up obstructing your ability to breath. The tongue can relax and fall back to cover the throat or you may find that the throat muscles relax too much, resulting in the collapse of the airway, which causes the problem with sleep apnea.

Cause #2 - Tonsils and Tongue are Too Large - If you happen to have tonsils or a tongue that is too large, then this can also be a cause of sleep apnea s well. If they are very large compared to your windpipe opening, it can end up falling into the back of your throat while you are sleeping, causing you to have a hard time breathing.

Cause #3 - The Shape of Your Neck or Head - Believe it or not, when it comes to what causes sleep apnea, you'll find that the shape of your neck and head can be a cause of this problem. If you have a boney neck or a head that is extra bony, you may find that you have a small airway in your throat and mouth. This means that it will be easier for something to obstruct the opening, which can lead to sleep apnea problems. So, the shape of your neck and head can actually have something to do with your sleep apnea problem, which is something that many people are not aware of.

Cause #4 - Aging - Just the aging process alone can actually contribute to problems with sleep apnea. As people get older, there is less ability to actually have the brain signal the throat muscles to stay still while you are sleeping. So, the airway is more likely to collapse or at least narrow, which leads to problems with sleep apnea. As you get older, you are more likely to deal with this problem, and sometimes it is merely caused by getting older and not have the muscle control from the brain that you used to have before when you were young.

Cause #5 - Too Much Weight - Too much weight can also be a cause of sleep apnea as well. When you are overweight, there can be extra soft tissue and more fat in the throat area. This can put more pressure on your airway, which makes it more likely that your airway will not be able to stand up against the pressure. Believe it or not, a whopping 60-70% of people who have sleep apnea are actually obese. You'll actually find that obesity can cause sleep apnea to occur, but sleep apnea can actually make obesity worse as well.

Cause #6 - Asthma and Allergies - Even asthma and allergies can end up causing sleep apnea problems. Since asthma can make your airways spasm up, this increases the risk that your airways are going to collapse while you are sleeping. If you have allergies, they can lead to congestion or inflammation of the airways, which can lead to increased risk of dealing with obstructive sleep apnea.

Cause #7 - Lifestyle Choices - Many times the cause of sleep apnea is actually a lifestyle choice that you are making. In some cases, smoking can cause the problem, irritation your lungs and your throat, which makes it more likely that your throat will close or your airway will spasm. Also, there are medications and alcohol that can make the muscles in the throat relax too much, which can make it hard for your body to keep those airways
open while you are asleep.

Now that you know a bit more about what causes sleep apnea, you may be wondering what you can do to help treat the problem. Well, one simple product you may want to try that can improve your sleep is Sleep Tracks. While it cannot actually treat the problem with sleep apnea, it is helpful for people who have a hard time sleeping.