Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is caused by the obstruction and/or collapse of the upper airway (back of throat), usually accompanied by the reduction in blood oxygen saturation, and then awakening (arousal) to activate breathing again. This is called an “apnoea event”. There are a number of factors which give rise to such an “event”. These are: Extra or large tissue at the back of the throat, such as large tonsils, vulva, and tongue or long/floppy soft palate.
There may also be an obstruction/s at the base of the tongue, turbinate problems or nasal blockages. A decrease in the tone of the muscles holding the airway open is another factor.