Can Sedatives Cause Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disruptive disorder. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, sleep apnea effects obese people the most because the excessive soft tissue in the throat can narrow the airway. Also, certain shapes of skulls and necks can lend themselves to a more narrow airway that causes the disorder. The most widespread sleep apnea caused by sedatives is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). In the worst cases, OSA can cause death when the airway becomes completely constricted.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

• The main reasons for sleep apnea when sedatives are given to patients, particularly by IV, is that the muscular tone in the airway is weakened. This decreases the width of the airway, which causes arousal. The body is trained to wake itself up if the airways are constricted, so if sedatives make the individual feel like he's not getting enough air, he wakes up.

People With OSA

• OSA is found mostly in obese individuals. People with overgrown tonsils also tend to have issues with apnea because enlarged tonsils can work to block airways, which becomes worse when an individual is sedated.

Medications to Avoid

• Patients who use benzodiazepines and propofol sedatives in particular are also affected because these medications often cause the muscular tone in the airways to relax.

Curing the Disorder

• Adding a stint often can be used when sedatives are given in order to keep the airway from shrinking, so patients are not awakened. Those with sleep apnea that is not caused by airway constriction normally do not experience any worsening of the condition as a result of sedatives; those with OSA are affected by the sedatives.

Preventing Sleep Apnea

• If sedatives have been known to cause sleep apnea in the past, it is recommended that you do not do elected surgeries.