Is A Fat Tongue Disturbing Your Sleep?

October 2, 2014

Obstructive sleep apnea is an undiagnosed health risk for many people. The journal Sleep will be publishing the findings of a new study showing that fat deposits on the tongue increase risk.

Obstructive sleep apnea causes pauses in breathing during sleep. These stoppages of breath occur because the soft tissues of the mouth and throat, including the tongue, relax and drop back into the airway. This effectively blocks the flow of air and the patients ceases breathing until they briefly wake with a gasp and begin breathing again.

The new study from the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center shows that fat deposits are increased in the tongue of obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Overweight people are at higher risk for sleep apnea.

This study included 90 obese adults with sleep apnea and 90 obese adults without the disorder. The study participants with sleep apnea had larger tongues, tongue fat and a higher percentage of tongue fat than those who did not have sleep apnea.

Tongue size is one of the physical features that we look at when screening patients for obstructive sleep apnea. Having an oversized or large tongue is not limited to those who are overweight, some people are just born with tongues that are too large for the size of their mouths. This can lead to blockages in the airway during sleep.

Oral appliance therapy ensures that the tongue stays in a forward position – no blocking the airway.

Please contact us today at 561-353-5252 to schedule your visit to our Boca Raton, Vero Beach or Port St. Lucie offices.