The primary risk factor for OSA is excessive weight gain. The accumulation of fat on the sides of the upper airway causes it to become narrow and predisposed to closure when the muscles relax. Age is another prominent risk factor. Loss of muscle mass is a common consequence of the aging process. If muscle mass decreases in the airway, it may be replaced with fat, leaving the airway narrow and soft.
Male hormones can cause structural changes in the upper airway.
The signs and symptoms of OSA result from disruption of the normal sleep architecture. The frequent arousals and the inability to achieve or maintain the deep stages of sleep can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, nonrestorative sleep, automobile accidents, personality changes, decreased memory, impotence, and depression. Patients rarely complain about frequent awakenings due to obstruction, but it does occur. Excessive daytime sleepiness may be mild or severe, depending on the severity of the obstruction. Some patients suffering from OSA fall asleep in a nonstimulating environment, such as while reading in a quiet room.