Via practica 6/2016

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and obesity

Obesity is a causal factor in onset of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome due to the fat tissue located in the upper respiratory airways and impairment of the neuromuscular balance in this area as well as the effect of the adipokines in the central type of obesity. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) causes serious cardiovascular and metabolic consequences. Fragmentation of sleep leads to an excessive daytime sleepiness with the risk of microsleep while driving the motor vehicle. Treatment of OSAS is known by the reduction of the weight and noninvasive positive ventilation therapy.

Keywords: obesity, sleep apnea syndrome, excessive daytime sleepiness