Sleep Apnea Could Be Caused By Comorbid Conditions

In recent years, doctors and researchers alike have believed that obstructive sleep apnea could possibly be causing a host of extremely dangerous medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). But a new study out of Ireland’s University College Dublin has found that the reverse may also be true. Sleep apnea, especially obstructive sleep apnea or OSA, could be caused by many of these comorbid conditions.For example, researchers suggest that patients with diabetes or COPD who are obese could develop obstructive sleep apnea due to their weight, as often pressure on the airway from fat deposits on the neck and in the tongue have been found to be responsible for some patients sleep apnea.When it comes to the connection between sleep apnea and these dangerous comorbid conditions, it appears to be a two-way street, so to speak. One condition feeds the other, and vice versa.So, what can be done to reduce one’s risk of developing sleep apnea and a dangerous comorbid condition? For starters, maintaining a healthy weight and getting plenty of exercise and sleep. This will help not only during the night, but during the waking hours as well.Furthermore, if you already have a comorbid condition such as COPD or hypertension, it’s wise to get that condition under control so that you are not putting yourself at further risk from the side effects as well as from sleep apnea.