Zhou Can, with nothing particular to do, was pondering privately about what might be causing this obese female patient's condition.
There are many reasons that can cause sudden pauses in breathing during sleep. For example, genetic factors.
If someone in the family has this condition, then the probability of inheriting it is very high. Generally, this condition can be identified through inspection. For instance, a noticeably large tongue, commonly referred to as macroglossia, which causes slightly slurred speech.
This is the most typical example of a hereditary condition.
Almost all patients with macroglossia are at risk of pausing breathing while asleep. Their enlarged tongues can easily slip back and block the throat.
Other reasons include small jaw deformities, enlarged uvula, enlarged turbinates, etc., all of which pose a risk of paused breathing during sleep.
These individuals belong to the high-risk group for this condition.
