Western Medicine Causes of Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition in which the soft tissues of the upper airway relax during sleep, narrowing or completely closing the airway. It is diagnosed as sleep apnea when the AHI (Apnea-Hypopnea Index) is 5 or more events per hour.

• Obesity: fat around the neck and pharynx presses on the airway
• Neck circumference: risk increases when it exceeds 43 cm in men or 38 cm in women
• Structural abnormalities of the jaw or nasal septum that make the airway congenitally narrow
• Alcohol and sleeping pills: worsen muscle relaxation and aggravate obstruction

The Korean Medicine View — Phlegm-Dampness (damseup) and Spleen Deficiency (biheo)

At Dongjedang, we understand sleep apnea as a process in which weakened Spleen-Stomach (biwi) function leads to the formation of phlegm-dampness (damseup), which in turn causes the airway tissues to enlarge. When digestive function is weak, the body's fluids and waste congeal into phlegm (dam), thickening the upper airway mucosa, tonsils, and soft palate, which ultimately makes the airway more prone to narrowing.

Among patients visiting from the Dong-gu and Dongincheon areas of Incheon, this pattern is frequently observed in those who snore and also have excess weight and indigestion.