What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea? Symptoms And Causes

According to a 2025 study, around 10% to 30% of adults in the USA might have obstructive sleep apnea. This is quite an alarming estimation. To remain safe, you must be aware of sleep apnea symptoms and causes. 

Do you have thunderous snoring?

Do you remain exhausted throughout the daytime?

This blog discusses more of these symptoms and causes of this diseas. Stay with us to get deeper insights into it.  

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea? 

Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common breathing disorders and may even be fatal. People suffering from it usually stop and then start breathing in their sleep. 

The lack of airflow can cause a drop in oxygen levels, which triggers a survival reflex that wakes them up. 

If you experience frequent wakeups at night, you won’t feel refreshed throughout the day. Such a situation unquestionably calls for sleep apnea treatment. According to a study, around 1 billion people worldwide are directly and indirectly affected by obstructive sleep apnea. Hence, it’s always better to have a thorough knowledge of such a disease. 

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Diagnosis And Tests

You must know the diagnosis before understanding obstructive sleep apnea symptoms and causes.

When you see a doctor treating sleep apnea, they will initially perform some key physical examinations and recommendations to check your medical history.

The doctors will thoroughly check your mouth, neck, and throat to determine the causes. 

However, they usually go for two tests to diagnose obstructive compulsive disorder, and they include:

• Home sleep apnea testing.
• Overnight sleep study. 

Apart from these methods, they may even advise you to record your sleep extensively (both video and audio). The doctors may proceed to the next step if the diagnosis is correct and swift. 

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Symptoms

The prevalence rates that we discussed above are highly alarming. Hence, you must visit a professional who treats the disease and discuss its whereabouts. However, before doing that, let’s know about the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea:

• Morning headaches.
• Thunderous snoring.
• Remaining tired throughout the day.
• Waking at night gasping and choking in fits and starts.
• Depression symptoms.
• High blood pressure.
• Less interest in sex. 

If you experience these symptoms, you must visit a doctor and discuss sleep apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Causes

If one is affected by obstructive sleep apnea, his/her pharynx closes during sleep, resulting in a lack of oxygen. This pathophysiology can be attributed to many factors. 

• Structural factors
• Facial elongation (long face).
• Micrognathia. (small jaw).
• Inferior displacement of the hypoplasia.
• Mandibular hypoplasia (underdeveloped jaw)
• Adenoid and Tonsillar

Apart from the structural factors that impact the cause and development of obstructive sleep apnea, there are nonstructural factors that come into play, and they include:

• Supine sleeping position.
• Pregnancy.
• Pregnancy.
• Age factors.

Apart from these factors, the most important one is obesity.  Yes, if you are obese, you may have to work on managing it to keep obstructive sleep apnea from happening. 

Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a nutritious diet, and managing health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol can help you manage obstructive sleep apnea. Hence, be mindful of sleep apnea symptoms and causes and seek medical intervention promptly. Go for medical intervention. See our physicians to be on the safe side.