Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Learn How To Cure Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea Causes

Well I shouldn't make light of snoring sufferers as it can, literally, be hazardous to your health. It is believed that 10 percent of all snorers go on to develop "obstructive sleep apnea", a potentially very serious and even fatal condition.

What is a snore?
It is the air turbulence that creates the noise, so familiar to snorer's suffering partners. This disturbed air flow is caused by the tissues behind the nose and mouth vibrating. This occurs when the airways are partially closed possibly due to lack of neck muscle tone or maybe some other physiological aspect likes a jaw line with an "overbite".

What is a sleep apneic?
It's someone, who not only keeps their partner awake with disturbing noises, but also scares the living daylights out of them.

In obstructive sleep apnea, the most common type, the muscle in the upper airways relaxes with sleep, becoming more and more narrow. If the air passage closes completely, the sufferer may stop breathing for 10 seconds or more. Then the brain will (should) kick in to ask for more oxygen, to which the spluttering choking sufferer will oblige, grab a breath and go back to sleep, quite often none the wiser.

It's true, larger people tend to be snorers. Snorers tend to be generally less healthy with a higher chance of having high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks.

Now the question is, do people snore and suffer from sleep apnea because they lead an "unhealthy lifestyle" with associated health risks, or is it the breathing disorder that is responsible for a higher than expected link to heart and blood pressure issues.

Research is revealing that snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are related to heart attacks, high blood pressure and strokes, independent of the association with smoking, alcohol intake, and weight.

It is small comfort to those healthy, jogging size eights out there who are afflicted, but around 40 percent of people with sleep apnea are NOT obese.

Causes of Snoring and (so) Sleep Apnea
However weight is a significant factor in the cause of snoring but also age can play a part. As we age the muscles in the throat like the other muscles become less efficient.

Breathing in your own or other people’s smoke can lead to a build up of congestion in the nasal passages making it more likely to breathe through your mouth resulting in more snoring.

Alcohol and drugs can also play their part. Alcohol is a sedative and it significantly relaxes the muscles in the throat, narrowing the passageways causing more snoring. Even after moderate alcohol intake, studies in Australia have shown that normally “harmless” snorers experienced bouts of sleep apnea in the first 2 hours of sleep.
The researchers measured the amount of oxygen absorbed by the blood in snorers who had been drinking and found a decrease of 27% absorption which is that much less oxygen reaching vital organs and tissues.
People who are already snorers and moderate to heavy drinkers are more likely to develop the more dangerous form of snoring, sleep apnea.

Sleeping pills can have a similarly detrimental affect on breathing related sleep problems as the benzodiazepines drugs such as valium, again relaxes the throat muscles meaning more snoring.

Sleeping on your back can lead to snoring as the tongue falls back obstructing the throat.

Allergies such as hay fever and a reaction to house mites can cause that blocked up feeling in the nasal cavities.

Food type can also play their part as some people react with excessive mucus production in the nose and throat after a bout of having dairy consumption.

Snoring and sleep apnea cures don't really exist, but the symptoms can be greatly reduced with lifestyle changes and in the case of sleep apnea by using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. QUESTION:
    What exactly is scarring from a septoplasty that causes sleep apnea?
    I had septoplasty they think I have scarring that is now causing sleep apnea how is that possible my roof of my mouth vibrates and my snoring increased after the septoplasty. What happened? He is doing a sleep study but cant you tell some other way?
    Is this a sign of a bad surgeon? Move septum vibrates too and the roof of mouth only when I sleep? Im not fat it was the surgery

    • ANSWER:
      Sleep apnea is an obstruction somewhere in the airway. It can be caused by a number of things. Scar tissue is very likely cause. Sleep apnea surgery does not work for many people because the scarring is actually worse than the original problem

      My question to you is did you snore before your nose job. If so you probably had OSA previously. Many people do.

      Sleep apnea is found in people of all sizes and shapes. Kids get SA as well.

      When you have the sleep study, you can ask many questions to the sleep techs and the doctor at the follow up.

      Best wishes

  2. QUESTION:
    What are the causes of sleep apnea?
    Im researching sleep apnea can someone please tell em what the causes are.
    Also please add the associated effects of sleep apnea

    • ANSWER:
      Blocked or narrowed airways in your nose, mouth, or throat can cause sleep apnea. Your airway can become blocked when your throat muscles and tongue relax during sleep.
      Sleep apnea can also occur if you have large tonsils or adenoids or a large uvula. During the day, when you are awake and standing up, these may not cause problems. But when you lie down at night, they can press down on your airway, narrowing it and causing sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can also occur if you have a problem with your jawbone.
      In children, the main cause of sleep apnea is large tonsils or adenoids.
      Sleep apnea is more likely to occur if you are overweight, use certain medicines or alcohol before bed, or sleep on your back.

  3. QUESTION:
    In a person with sleep apnea, what causes rises and falls in oxygen saturation of arterial blood during sleep?

    I am not obese and do not have sleep apnea. This is a biology question. If I made a graph of oxygen saturation against time of a person who had severe obstructive sleep apnea while they were sleeping, what might cause the saturation to go up and down over time?

    • ANSWER:
      When a patient has sleep events they temporarily stop breathing, which causes the desaturation of oxygen. Furthermore, the events do not happen all the time, events can happen only in specific sleep positions.

      generally they do not use Arterial Blood Gases during these overnight polysonomographs, they use a finger pulse oximeter.

      So the rise and fall is a direct result of when the patient has apneas and hypopneas

  4. QUESTION:
    What are some books I can read to research the mental issues caused after a person has sleep apnea?
    I am doing an assignment on the mental conditions caused after a person is diagnosed with sleep apnea. This means what type of issues they mentally encounter as a result of sleep apnea (such as depression, changes the must do in their environment etc.) And I would like some literature to read and information that Sleep Apnea causes that most would not be aware to know about.

    • ANSWER:
      there are tons of sites dedicated to sleep ( after all you spend like 1/3 of your life doing it.)

      jsut google " sleep book"
      or "sleeping disorder"

      you will have more than you can read .

  5. QUESTION:
    Can sleep apnea cause headaches during the day?
    I have sleep apnea...or atleast I think I do. People tell me that when I sleep, I stop breathing for awhile and make noises like I am choking. Is this sleep apnea? And if it is, does it cause headaches throughout the day? Because I have headaches almost everyday and I can't think of what causes them.

    • ANSWER:
      You kind of have 2 questions here so to answer, yes, when you stop breathing when you're sleeping it is typically referred to as sleep apnea. The noise may be you 'catching' your breath when you do start breathing again. Also, since the brain/body is being deprived of oxygen AND you don't sleep near as well with apnea as you would without this condition, your headaches could be caused by either the lack of oxygen, or the severe lack of sleep, or a combination of both. You should see your doctor and have a sleep study done. Then you can take steps to resolve the problem.

  6. QUESTION:
    CAN Sleep apnea causes child to stop breathing?
    to the point where you have to go to the hospital & actually have a scare. One of my co workers called out bc her daughter stopped breathing & she's not even two yet.

    I

    • ANSWER:

  7. QUESTION:
    What causes obstructive sleep apnea in children that already have their adenoids & tonsils out?
    If adenoids and tonsils are out, what is the treatment? CPAP only?

    • ANSWER:
      Although adenoids and tonsils are the most common cause, problems with deviated septum, collapseable soft tissue in the neck, and underbite can be causes as well, and may be amendable to treatment surgically.

      CPAP is a good treatment, but if there's any other surgical intervention it should be considered first especially for someone young.

  8. QUESTION:
    What causes Sleep Apnea?
    I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea...I will be on a oxygen machine startin this week. What causes this condition?

    • ANSWER:
      being over weight is the main one. Having an enlarged uvula can cause it, being super exhausted can cause it.

      But the main one that health care professionals agree upon is weighing too much. If you are over weight, you need to loose the weight big time.

      Some times a bite block that is molded for your jaw to pull your bottom jaw forward some while you sleep can help if it is dealing with your tongue getting in the way of your esophagus and trachea openings.

      Hope this helps.

  9. QUESTION:
    Can sleep apnea cause palpitations during the day?
    My heart skips beats all through the day, and my
    heart rate stays well above one hundred all of the
    time. I have been to a cardiologist, and he gave me
    a stress test and a ultrasound of my heart. Every
    thing came back normal. So, I would like to know
    what is causing this because it is driving me crazy!!
    I have a history of sleep apnea, but I am not sure if
    this is the problem.

    • ANSWER:
      Untreated sleep apnea can cause all sorts of problems, both physical and emotional. Your organs, such as your heart, simply do not get enough oxygen to function well. It may be that you also have anxiety, which can also cause palpitations. You really ought to be tested for sleep apnea in a sleep lab, and then get a CPAP machine to wear over your nose at night. You will feel better within a week or so, and the distressing symptoms will go away. BEEN THERE, DONE THAT. My very best wishes to you.

  10. QUESTION:
    Does sleep apnea causes mental problem?
    one of my relative was diagnosed of sleep apnea.I have seen changes in her behaviour.She behaves like a lunatic person.I don't feel like talking to her because she cannot control her emotions and I am scared of her outburst.She is 75 plus.Is it because of her age or has her brain really turned weird.Help me out

    • ANSWER:
      Instructions
      1
      Reduce your weight 5 to 10 lbs. Extra weight can obstruct your breathing while you sleep.

      2
      Avoid drugs and alcohol. Both slow your respiratory system, which can produce sleep apnea.

      3
      Avoid sleeping on your back. In this position, your tongue may fall back into your airways, creating an obstruction.

      4
      Try the flower remedy called vervain. Organic herb stores carry this in dry herb form and it can be made into a tea. The herb promotes relaxation and has a calming effect.

      5
      Using a few pillows to elevate your head so as to not lay flat. Try those pillows that are designed with a hole in the middle. The base of your head rests in the hole and this keeps your airways open.

      6
      Try 5-HTP. This is amino acid raises serotonin levels in the brain to relax you.

  11. QUESTION:
    Dose sleep apnea causes hyperactivity and bad behavior ?
    My son has attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity and very bad anger issues. We live in Puerto Rico and the Doctors here are not very open to find out more, they just brand him and medicate him I don’t want to give him medication so I am hoping that maybe it is sleep apnea, he dose not sleep well. I told his pediatrician what I thought it was and if there was some test that can be done she just said to take the TV out of his room I did but he is still the same I would get up to get water at night and he was up watching T.V. I saw on 48 hrs. Hard evidence that sleep apnea may be the cause of his problem. He dose snore but not that much he talks very loud and stutters. He get out of the class room and when he is in the class room he dose not stay still. But the important part is that he is very, very smart.

    • ANSWER:
      Sleep apnea in children often cause hyperactivity and aggresivity. This is strange, because adults with sleep apnea are very tired during the day and they often fall asleep at inappropriate times, such as at work, behind the wheel, or at the cinema.

      Here are the most common symptoms of sleep apnea in children:

      - noisy breathing and mouth breathing

      - brief period of no breathing

      - restless sleep, including turning and tossing

      - sleeping in odd positions

      - irritability, frustration, hyperactivity and aggresivity

      - difficulty paying attention

      - daytime sleepiness and lethargy at obese children

      - poor performance at school, such as poor concentration, behavioral problems and lack of learning.

      - bed-wetting

      - morning headache

      - cardiovascular problems, such as abnormalities or arrhythmia.

      I hope it helps.

  12. QUESTION:
    Can sleep apnea cause digestive problems?
    I was just wondering if sleep apnea could cause digestive problems and if anybody has had experience. The symptoms I mean are diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating mainly. I have a good possibility that I have sleep apnea and I was wondering if maybe these other symptoms could be from it. I always assumed it was the other way around the digestive symptoms causing me to be so tired.

    • ANSWER:
      Sleep apnea is the frequent interruption or shallowness of breathing during sleep, each incident lasting as long as 10-20 seconds and occurring as many as hundreds of times. Major symptoms are loud, chronic snoring; gasping, snorting or choking during sleep; unusual pauses in breathing; sleepiness during the day regardless of time spent in bed. Less serious symptoms are dry mouth or sore throat; morning headaches; insomnia; frequent bathroom visits during the night; being out of breath upon awakening; difficulty concentrating; irritability or depression. As a result you don't get the uninterrupted deep sleep necessary for good health, mental and physical. Diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and weight gain are the serious effects of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious condition, but the easiest ways to deal with it are to sleep on your side or prop your head up six-seven inches. Consult your doctor if you suspect you have any major symptoms.

  13. QUESTION:
    What causes Sleep Apnea besides being overweight?

    • ANSWER:
      I know that my dad had the kind of sleep apnea that was a problem in your head, like sinuses and brain. only like 1 percent of people with sleep apnea have this kind, the rest are in the throat.

  14. QUESTION:
    what causes sleep apnea?
    can anxiety disorder be a cause of it or stress ....what causes sleep apnea?

    • ANSWER:
      Truth is we don't really know, sometimes there is an obstruction in the airways, which can be treated with surgery to remove the part of the airway that is causing the problem, but in most cases there is no cause that can be found.

      That said, there are correlations to weight, the bigger you are the more likely you are to suffer with sleep apnea

  15. QUESTION:
    Can sleep apnea cause people to not sleep at all?
    i know someone that has sleep apnea and can hardly ever fall asleep. we have been wondering if sleep apnea can cause not being able to shut off and go to sleep or if it's more serious such as a brain tumor. also seroquel and other sleeping meds aren't helping her fall asleep so please tell me what should be done.

    • ANSWER:
      I had sleep apnea when my nostrils and neck are very clogged up. This means that whenever I had sinusitis or pneumonia(sinusitis and pneumonia go hand in hand it seems) I'd always have sleep apnea for a few seconds. Hell, even minor irritation on my neck can cause this. You should possibly go to a doctor and see if this has anything to do with that. Maybe he has polyps or some sort of benign mucus tumor.

      Usually, brain tumors are a rare diagnosis and most of the symptoms can be explained and linked to other problems. However, if you suspect a brain tumor and the tests your doctor recommended came out normal then you should talk to your doctor about the possibility of getting an MRI.

  16. QUESTION:
    what is sleep apnea and what causes it?
    i stop breathing at times when i'm sleep. my throat feels funny, like it's rubbery.

    • ANSWER:
      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. Sleep apnea also can occur in obese people when an excess amount of tissue in the airway causes it to be narrowed. With a narrowed airway, the person continues his or her efforts to breathe, but air cannot easily flow into or out of the nose or mouth. Unknown to the person, this results in heavy snoring, periods of no breathing, and frequent arousals (causing abrupt changes from deep sleep to light sleep). Ingestion of alcohol and sleeping pills increases the frequency and duration of breathing pauses in people with sleep apnea.

  17. QUESTION:
    Could sleep apnea caused by enlarged tonsils effect my running?
    I was just diagnosed with possible sleep apnea due to large tonsils and adenoids. My sleep test could not be scheduled until after my first two meets and the results will not come until the fifth one. So I was wondering if either the apnea or the tonsils and adenoids would effect my running and decrease my times. I run the 2 mile. Thank you.

    • ANSWER:
      Your large tonsils are probably more of a concern since it's lymph tissue and in generally swells up because of illness such as a bacteria infection or strep throat. Tonsils are suppose to shrink in size as you grow older. If they are becoming larger than it's best to see a throat, nose specialist. Good health.

  18. QUESTION:
    What causes Central sleep apnea?
    I have been diagnosed with both central and obstructive sleep apnea.

    My sleep studies both showed that I do got 0.00% delta sleep, which I understand is the deepest sleep, and allows the brain to do its regulation and restoration of necessary functions, such as sending growth hormone into the body.

    Is there any way to know why I am not making the effort to breathe at certain times in the night?

    I am about to go on C-PAP, but am not convinced that I will get delta sleep.

    Thank you for any helpful responses-

    • ANSWER:
      Hello Flam!

      Here is what I learned about central sleep apnea:

      A person with central apnea has issues with the respiratory center from the brain. The respiratory center controls the chest muscles to make breathing movements.

      When the respiratory center stops working during sleep, then your breathing stops, too. The brain does not respond to the changes of the respiratory gas levels from the blood (oxygen and carbon dioxide).

      In central apnea, you stop breathing in sleep for a period of time (at least 10 seconds), but there is no effort to breathe at all like in obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore snoring is not present in central apnea.

      But I understand you have a mixed sleep apnea, so you have obstructive apnea symptoms, too. Snoring is one of the symptoms.

      The cause of central apnea is unknown, but there are risk factors that can influence the development, such as:

      * age
      * gender
      * sleep state
      * thyroid disease
      * neurological or cardiological abnormalities

      I hope it helps!

  19. QUESTION:
    Does Sleep Apnea cause a person to have nightmares?
    I have been examined by a medical specialist (an M.D.) who recommends that I undergo the sleep apnea examination (spending the night in a medical facility ). I don't believe I'm a candidate for wearing that mask while you sleep but I am having some unbelievable dreams night after night and I'd like to determine why!

    • ANSWER:
      No, sleep apnea has no direct link to nightmares.

  20. QUESTION:
    What are the causes of Sleep apnea? And how can it be fixed?

    • ANSWER:
      There's sleep apnea (neurological) and there's obstructive sleep apnea (structural and/or functional). There are many causes and each has its own form of treatment depending on the cause or causes. You might wish to check the links below to get a comprehensive overview of causes, symptoms, risks and treatment options.

      http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_Causes.html -

      http://www.helpguide.org/life/sleep_apnea.htm

      http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/how_serious_sleep_apnea_000065_5.htm

  21. QUESTION:
    will my sleep apnea cause my newborn baby to die from sids?
    I had a daughter 13yrs ago and she passed away because of S.I.D.S. and about 3-4yrs later I found out I had Sleep Apnea. I am wondering if I could have caused her to die because I didn't know I already had a sleep problem that causes me to stop breathing same as S.I.D.S. where the baby stops breathing. I am pregnant again and am frightened this could happen again to me. Help.
    Martha

    • ANSWER:
      YOUR sleep apnea didnt cause your baby girl to die of SIDS-maybe she had sleep apnea too-and that's why she passed away.

      Still SIDS causes arent very well known so it's hard to know what caused it. but it certainly wasnt because you had it.

      You can ask your doctor about whether or not apnea can be passed to your baby and maybe this time around you can sleep with your baby for the first few months so as to check for any breathing issues.
      A friend of mine woke up by one night because the phone rang-wrong number-anyways so she went to check on her baby girl-who usually wakes up at the minimal sound and found out she wasnt breathing! She performed CPR on her and was able to get her breathing. After a stint in the hospital they found out she had apnea! However it's under control now and that baby is anow a very happy preschooler. The moral of the story is there are things that can be done in the case your baby does end up having sleep apnea.

      Good Luck!

  22. QUESTION:
    The causes of Sleep Apnea?
    Could stress cause sleep apnea or sleep apnea like symptoms? I have been stressed because of school and work etc and have never experienced anything like I did last night. I would be asleep and then stop breathing a couple seconds wake up, go back to sleep and the same thing would happen all throughout the night. My chest is definitely feeling it this morning because it is really sore.
    I'm not even sure is one episode would even be considered "sleep apnea" What do you think? Any advice on what I should do. I mean I was reading about it and it said its mostly common amoung adults, i'm 19 years old. Could it just be stress? Should I have anythign to worry about?

    • ANSWER:

      http://www.medicinenet.com/sleep_apnea/article.htm

  23. QUESTION:
    Does sleep apnea cause tiredness every day?
    I'm tired most of the time even with plenty of sleep. My doctor is going to test me for sleep apnea. I can go some days without being tired. But more days extremely tired.
    I have been going through this for more then a year.

    • ANSWER:
      Excessive tiredness in daytime is a symptom of sleep apnea. You should worry if you have this problem for a couple of weeks, even if you think you slept well at night. The nice thing is that you're going to take the sleep test. This is the best thing you can do. You will know exactly what is your problem, what is your cause of your tiredness.

  24. QUESTION:
    what exactly causes sleep apnea?
    my friend sleeps most of the day that about 15 hours maybe a little less. but even when he is not in bed and just holding conversation he falls to sleep in med sentance. and one the rare occassion that he get up and move around he has no energy. can you give me some insight as to what may be going on with him

    • ANSWER:

  25. QUESTION:
    Does your employer violate hippa by telling an employee that you were suspended due to sleep apnea?
    I have sleep apnea that causes daytime drowsiness. I was suspended for this reason. My employer told another employee I was suspended for sleeping on the job. Does this violate Hippa since it is medically related?

    • ANSWER:
      "Joe was suspended for sleeping on the job" is perfectly legal.

      "Joe suffers from sleep apnea" *may* be a HIPPA violation depending on how he found out.

      Edit - jurydoc is partly wrong, which is why I said "depending on how he found out'. If your employer wholly or partly funds your medical insurance, and you were required to tell him about your condition as part of the insurance claim, then he IS covered by HIPAA. He 'may' also become HIPAA covered merely by 'requiring' you to tell him what is wrong with you in order to grant sick leave.

      HIPAA is still new law, and is constantly evolving as the courts interpret it.

      Richard

  26. QUESTION:
    Can being overweight cause sleep apnea?
    I have a pretty big belly up high between my rib cage,,is that causing me to test like it's sleep apnea? My doctor sez there's a 25% chance that it's testing as sleep apnea.

    • ANSWER:
      Yeah, I've got the same problem. I just got tested the other night and the tech said it could have been my weight. So if we lose weight maybe we can do without the machine at night.
      God bless and help you.

  27. QUESTION:
    Can Sleep Apnea cause me to feel depression or anxiety during the day?

    • ANSWER:
      Hello Mark,

      The answer is yes, you may have depression if you have sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea tend to become social isolated from their partners and children because of their fatigue and sleepiness.

      In this case, the solution is to start the treatment of sleep apnea before all this problems arise.
      You need all the support of the family and friends to continue the therapy.

  28. QUESTION:
    Can sleep apnea cause chest pain?
    I am 17 first of all and thank you for taking the time to read this. I have not been officially diagnosed but usually I am tossing and turning at night and have a lot of trouble breathing. Lately I've been having chest pains during the day and I remember when I asked my psychology teacher about sleep apnea he said it is bad for the heart so now I am worried. Can this be dangerous? Are the chest pains going to get worse? My sleep wasn't that bad last night but can I die if the pain increases over time?

    • ANSWER:
      Chest pain in teens is almost always muscular in origin and taking some motrin/ibuprofen regularly for about a week will probably make this go away. It is caused by repetitive movements of your arms - either physical exercise, gym class, something you do at work or lifting. Sleep apnea is a contributing factor to heart attacks, mostly in men and doesn't increase their risk until they are around age 50 so you are worrying about something that is not happening in a 17 year old. You could have a mild viral illness and taking an over the counter decongestant may clear up your breathing. And, if you don't get some exercise in each day in order to make your body tired, your sleep is often more restless. Too much caffeine in the evenings, bright lights such as too much computer time, taking naps - all contribute to a restless night. This is probably short term and will go away on it's own without any treatment.

  29. QUESTION:
    Could sleep apnea cause you to spit blood?
    Just wondering if it is possible that you could irritate your throat enough that you would spit up blood.

    • ANSWER:
      Sleep Apnea usually accompanies hard snoring, and snoring causes a very dry mouth and throat. You can see where I'm going with this. That kind of dryness will cause cracking and bleeding. Do you ever wake up with a sore throat? However, it's been several days since you first mentioned spitting blood. I seems to me that it should have stopped by now. You may need to be scoped to find out where the blood is coming from. Whether or not the bleeding is something you need to worry about, the scope will at least give you a definitive answer.

  30. QUESTION:
    Where can I find authoritative proof that chronic sinusitis can cause sleep apnea?
    I have chronic sinusitis caused by a deviated septum resulting from damaged to my head and face sustained in an Army helicopter crash. Shortly after the crash, I developed the sinus infection and while I had most, if not all, of the symptoms associated with sleep apnea, it was not diagnosed until much later. I have had one operation on my nose which did not solve the problem and I ABSOLUTELY will not have another. The Veterans Administration has denied service connection for my sleep apnea and I need some authoritative source to support the assertions found on dozens of ENT and Apnea sites, which cite chronic sinusitis as a cause ( one several possibilities) for sleep apnea. Thanks, Wavie

    • ANSWER:
      Sorry, but you already found that assertions on dozens of ENT and Apnea sites,as you affirmed, so, why are you stil asking for that??
      Besides I think that the most part of web pages can't be as authoritative as a clinic (signed) certificate.

  31. QUESTION:
    does an employer have the right to fire you if you have sleep apnea which causes you to occasionally doze off?

    • ANSWER:
      If you're caught sleeping on the job they have the right to fire you.

      If it's a medical condition you should have provided them with a note from your Dr when they employed you so they knew what was going on with you.

  32. QUESTION:
    Why does sleep deprivation make the symptoms of sleep apnea worse?
    I recently did a sleep study and found that I have obstructive sleep apnea and it causes me to wake up during the night - often many times. I go through cycles where the problem gets much worse, one night of poor sleep leads to another worse night of interupted sleep, and so on - sometimes for a month or even more. I have heard that sleep deprivation makes the symptoms of sleep apnea much worse, and as I am searching for the right treatments, I was just interested in finding out why - what is the mechanism that causes this? Very strenuous exercise during the day or early evening can have the same effect. Thank you for any insights.

    • ANSWER:
      Actually, sleep apnea is a condition where you actually stop breathing during sleep. For most people, this causes them to wake up quickly; for others, it's a life-threatening situation (especially for babies and small children). I imagine if you're not getting much rest, when you do finally get to sleep your body is so tired it's hard for your body to wake up when you stop breathing. Also, even though your body eventually trains itself to sleep lightly in order potentially avoid apnea, when YOU finally get some sleep your body falls into a deeper sleep. This makes it harder for your body to avoid apnea. I would advise you to get plenty of rest whenever possible. I believe you should obtain a sleep apnea monitor from your physician. This will sound an alarm to wake you up when you stop breathing, or if your oxygen saturation level drops below a certain percentage. This may alleviate some of your anxiety and help you sleep better at night. Just a thought. Good luck.

  33. QUESTION:
    babies with sleep apnea caused by sleeping with fans?
    My husband told me that he read somewhere that if babies sleep with fans all the time or a lot that it will cause them to have sleep apnea. Is this true?

    • ANSWER:
      Fans don't cause sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is either caused by a blockage in the throat (obstructive sleep apnea), a neurological disorder (central sleep apnea), or a combination of the two (mixed apnea). If anything, a fan may give an infant too much air, making it difficult or impossible to breathe against. But, that is definitely not sleep apnea.

  34. QUESTION:
    Can Sleep Apnea be caused because of stress?
    Could sleep Apnea be caused because of stress?

    • ANSWER:
      Well not stress directly however when you become stressed your sleeping patterns may change. That can contribute to sleep apnea. Causes of apnea are really unclear to determine what causes it. Obesity, drugs, smoking, hypothyroidism etc. are some factors.

  35. QUESTION:
    Could my husband's sleep apnea be causing numbness in his left arm?
    My husband has sleep apnea but it is'nt being treated yet, he has an appointment in July. He has been experiencing headaches and now his left arm is going numb, can this be from sleep apnea?

    • ANSWER:
      Most likely it's not from sleep apnea. If his arm is numb, then he needs to go see a doctor as it could be something serious. It could be a cardiac issue, or a nerve issue. Only a doctor could determine that.

  36. QUESTION:
    Can "Sleep Apnea" cause heavy dizzines during the day?
    I can understand one would feel not rested when they wake up. If one over a period of 2 minutes feels a need to take a deep breath and hold it in for a while when awake, can this be a sympton of sleep apnea?

    • ANSWER:
      You should visit a physician near you. Dizziness during the day is not directly caused by sleep apnea but can be related if you are suffering from fatigue because of not sleeping properly. There can be many other reasons as well.

      Good Health To You!

  37. QUESTION:
    Do sleep apnea treatments help someone if their sleep apnea is caused by chronic phlegm?
    My husband says I snore sometimes and don't sleep sound. Due to allergies, I have phlegm quite frequently and I think that is my problem. Will the c-pap machine do any good if that is the problem?

    • ANSWER:
      CPAP can help of course. However until you start using this machine you can not imagine how much discomfort it brings to its users. What is more, there may be no need for using it as other more comfortable treatment may well work.

      I'd suggest visiting http://snoringremediescenter.com/ - there you can get a free online questionnaire that can determine what is the type of your snoring and afterwards give suggestions - which of the treatments can work for your particular case best.

      You can also use the free service of online consultation offered by the website.

  38. QUESTION:
    Obstructive Sleep Apnea. How do you feel about surgical option?
    I have severe obstructive sleep apnea that caused mu oxygen levels to drop in the 60% range. The condition was bad enough that surgery was offered.

    My question: If you had surgery to correct you obstructive sleep apnea, what were your side effects (if any) and how long did it take to recover.

    • ANSWER:
      I've not had the procedure done (yet) but one of my coworkers had it done and it improved her whole life so much. Now that it's been 10 years (she's gotten older, plus she's gained weight) she started to have difficulty staying asleep again so badly that she asked her doctor if she could have a second procedure but instead he has her on one of those ventilating machines--which she detests (but maybe her condition hasn't progressed far enough to suggest surgery again yet). If your condition is bad enough your doc is recommending surgery, you ought to think about it--maybe get a second opinion. Surgery recovery may be painful but if it'll allow you to breath (and avoid developing other health problems related to oxygen depravity), then it is well worth it--and whatever pain there is is transitory, it'll go away once the incisions have healed and you['ll feel so much better.

  39. QUESTION:
    what is sleep apnea caused by, and can it be because you are to heavy? ?
    I am doing a research paper, and I was just wondering.

    • ANSWER:

  40. QUESTION:
    does sleep apnea cause you to sleep alot?
    do people who have sleep apnea sleep alot?

    • ANSWER:
      they can, yes.

  41. QUESTION:
    sleep apnea causing seizures?
    diagnosed with sleep apnea now on a continious positive airway pressure machine because i stop breathing for short times whiles asleep and was told this is what causes my seizures. Have type 1 diabetes and was told this has nothing to do with my seizures as i do not have low blood sugars during my seizures

    • ANSWER:

  42. QUESTION:
    Can Sleep Apnea cause me to always feel tired. And to doze off in middle of work at my desk. I'm 95 pounds?
    overweight. How much weight do I have to lose to cure my sleep apnea?

    • ANSWER:
      I don't know about the amount of weight you need to take off, but tiredness is one symptom.

  43. QUESTION:
    Can diabetes cause sleep apnea?
    I had diabetes first, then sleep apnea. Can the first cause the second?

    • ANSWER:
      No, the two are not connected. Anyone can develop sleep apnea. Get a check up done and make sure it is not caused by a sinus or allergy problem or deviated septum. Severe sleep apnea can be dangerous.

  44. QUESTION:
    I read a report that sleep Apnea can cause diabetes. Anyone else know of any sites which say the same?

    Sleep apnea is not a psycholigical disease its a repiratory disease. It can cause insulin resistance without obesity.

    • ANSWER:
      Check out WebMD.com or RevolutionHealth.com.

  45. QUESTION:
    Does sleep apnea cause seizures?
    At the age of 67 I had the first seizure. Now at age 73 the doctors have diagnosed sleep apnea. Since I've only had seizures during my sleep is it possible that I've had sleep apnea all along and was diagnosed improperly?

    • ANSWER:
      seizues usually are cause by abnoralities in the brain...
      sleep apnea is when you forget to breath while you are asleep..
      i honestly do not seeing these as being a cause as each other..
      if you have gained weight over the years, this could cause the apnea...

  46. QUESTION:
    Can bad dreams actually cause sleep apnea and even death?
    Or insomnia, anyway?

    • ANSWER:

  47. QUESTION:
    Is Sleep Apnea causing my trouble falling asleep?
    I'm 19 and i think i have sleep apnea. i know i hold my breath in my sleep, i don't do it every night but when i do it happens a lot over the course of one night. i haven't been officially diagnosed, my family cant afford it but I'm pretty sure i do.

    i seem to have trouble falling asleep no matter how tired i am even if i take something to help me go to sleep. but i could take cat naps all day long because I'm so sleepy all the time yet i cant fall asleep at night. ((and no its not the naps that keep me from falling asleep at bedtime, i didn't say i DID take the naps i said i COULD.))

    so my question is, does my body know something is wrong when i sleep deeply and trying to prevent me from going to sleep?

    • ANSWER:
      You know what you need to do... you need to consult with your doctor to determine if this is the case and determine what options you have.

  48. QUESTION:
    Can Sleep Apnea cause me to sleep 18 hours a day sometimes?

    • ANSWER:
      Yes it does but it also interrupts your sleep though, so that is why you sleep so much. Ever since my mom has gotten it all she ever wants to do is sleep. LOL!!!

  49. QUESTION:
    Can sleep apnea cause breathing trouble when awake?

    • ANSWER:
      Yes, it can. Your nose/throat may have a problem that cause blockage even when awake.

  50. QUESTION:
    "What causes obstructive sleep apnea?

    • ANSWER:


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