VII.21. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

During sleep, OSA repeatedly causes blockade of the upper airways because of the narrowing of the airways.

Most often obese individuals suffer from this disease, because the soft palate and the tongue are enlarged by enhanced fat accumulation. The regulation of breathing and the structure of the lungs are changed, and there are therefore usually 4-5 breath pauses per hour during sleep.  

OSA is associated with insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia and the MetS. The aggravation of OSA correlates well with the increase of NAFDL. The risk of CVD is significantly increased in these individuals. The hypoxia caused by OSA increases the insulin resistance, decreases the insulin sensitivity, enhances the blood Glu level, damages the liver, increases the ALT and AST levels, enhances the FFA oxidation in the liver and induces inflammation (it enhances the IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α levels).