Patient/caregiver were instructed regarding causes and risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea as follows:

Obstructive sleep apnea is a relatively more common type of sleep apnea, arising due to excessive relaxation of and poorly functioning airway muscles in the throat. Excessive relaxation of and poorly functioning airway muscles in the throat lead to narrowing or closure of the respiratory airways, which results in respiratory pauses and obstructive sleep apnea. Involvement of the following factors can enhance the risk for an individual to present with obstructive sleep apnea. Coexistence of more than one factor can increase the risk for presentation with obstructive sleep apnea accordingly.

  1. Chronic nasal congestion: Some individuals can have history of poorly controlled allergies and repeated exposure to upper respiratory infections. Chronic nasal congestion due to allergies and infections can lead to narrowing of airways. This can result in obstruction to the airflow pattern, thus contributing to development of obstructive sleep apnea.
  2. Excessive alcohol consumption: Individuals with history of chronic alcoholism and/or alcohol abuse can present with relaxed airway muscles with poor tension in them. Appropriate tension in the airway muscles of the throat is needed to maintain them patent and open for the air to flow unobstructed. Lack of tension in the airways contribute to airway collapse, result in obstruction to the airflow pattern, thus leading to development of obstructive sleep apnea.
  3. Psychotropic medication use: Excessive intake of psychotropic medications, such as, sedative-hypnotics, anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers, as a side-effect to the medication intake, can result in poorly tensed and relaxed airway muscles. Appropriate tension in the airway muscles of the throat is needed to maintain them patent and open for the air to flow unobstructed. Lack of tension in the airways contribute to airway collapse, result in obstruction to the airflow pattern, thus leading to development of obstructive sleep apnea.