|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q. What causes sleep apnea? A. Sleep apnea is caused by abnormal closure of the airway during sleep. The cause of this may be multi-factorial. Sleep researchers used to think that sleep apnea occurred in obese patients due to their upper airway closing during sleep because of the fat that surrounded the airway, narrowing it and making it more collapsible. Sadly, it’s much more complicated than that. |
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
While it is true that obesity is a major risk factor for sleep apnea, there are many obese people who don’t have sleep apnea, and there are also non-obese people who do have it. Clearly, sleep apnea is more than just upper airway closure related to obesity. Sleep experts are now looking into neuromuscular control issues as a possible cause. |
|
|
Q. How many people develop sleep apnea? A. As many as 4% of American men, 2% of all women, 3% of children, and as many as 20% to 30% of adults older than 60 develop sleep apnea, making it as common as diabetes and asthma. The Greek philosopher Homer, who once described sleep as “the brother of death” might have said the same about apnea had he known that it quadruples the risk of heart attack and triples the risk of stroke. |
|
|
Q. Does being overweight increase the chance of developing sleep apnea? A. Being overweight does increase the likelihood of obesity, which is a risk factor for sleep apnea. Do your best to keep your weight in a healthy range—a BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight; obesity is a BMI of 30 or more. |
|
|
|
|
|
If you would like to have your BMI automatically calculated, go to the government website www.nhlbisupport.com If Your Weight Is Creeping Up . . . Cut Calories and Develop Good Exercise Habits
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
