Obesity is one of the most common causes of sleep apnea.  When a person has excessive weight around their neck and upper chest, they put undue pressure on these areas and cause the fatty tissue around the back of their mouth and upper throat to collapse when they're in bed.  Many people that are obese often have problems breathing as their excessive body weight puts pressure on their lungs and other areas as well.  Additionally, many people that are overweight are not as physically active as they should be, which also causes their respiratory system to be compromised.  Interesting that the causes of obesity are often the same causes of sleep apnea.  Many patients have found that reducing their body weight by only 10% gives them a moderate amount of relief from their sleep apnea.

There are of course other causes of sleep apnea.  When there is excessive tissue along the soft palate, which is the area on the roof of the mouth and near the back, this tissue can collapse while sleeping and block the airways of the throat.  Elongated tonsils and blockages in the sinuses are also common causes of sleep apnea, as is an enlarged tongue.  These are the typical causes in children and those who are not overweight or obese.

If you're overweight and have sleep apnea, then obviously losing weight is an important first step in getting this condition under control.  Losing weight is also important for your health overall, but most important if it is one of your causes of sleep apnea.  This chronic lack of oxygen when you're asleep can lead to many problems, including daytime sleepiness, fatigue, mood swings, irritability, loss of memory and cognitive abilities, brain damage, and even death.  Other causes of sleep apnea need to be addressed by a doctor.  There are many very simple surgical procedures that can be done in their office to alleviate this condition.  Considering how serious the condition is and the dangers of it, you would do well to speak to your doctor immediately if you suspect that you have sleep apnea.