Obstructive sleep apnea

Why is obstructive sleep apnea common among overweight people?

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is common among overweight people because:

• overweight people usually have fatty deposits within the throat tissue, which narrow the upper airway.
• in some overweight people, the extra weight on the abdomen may change the way their stomach and chest muscles work, alters the operation of their breathing reflexes and contributes to the development of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Obstructive sleep apnea treatment

Obstructive sleep apnea treatment is by removing whatever is blocking the airway. Obstructive sleep apnea treatment can be accomplished by means of an obstructive sleep apnea breathing device, through sleep apnea surgery, and sometimes both breathing device and sleep apean surgery.

If obesity is a factor in the person with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, weight loss may be in order. It is important to know as accurately as possible what factors are causing obstructive sleep apnea so that the correct obstructive sleep apnea treatment can be devised.