Obstructive Sleep Apnea Symptoms and Causes

The primary symptoms associated with obstructive sleep apnea are loud snoring sometimes followed by pauses and gasping for air, and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Many people snore, but not all snorers have sleep apnea. Most people do have some awareness of their snoring habits, but have difficulty determining if their snoring is severe enough to indicate obstructive sleep apnea.
Tell your dentist or physician if you snore, experience fatigue and/or daytime sleepiness to help diagnose possible OSA.

)bstructive Sleep Apnea Problems - Photo

Common Risk Factors Associated with Obstructive Sleep Apnea:

  • Obesity (body mass index (BMI) over 35)
  • Large neck size (16″ or more for women, 17″ for men)
  • Large tongue or tonsils
  • Age over 40
  • More common in men
  • Chronic heart burn (gastroesopegeal reflux)
  • Nasal problems such as allergies and a deviated septum
  • Small jaw bone
  • Alcohol, sedatives, and other tranquilizing medications
  • Family history