Sleep Disorders Large tongue and tonsils may indicate obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea blocks breathing and prevents restful sleep
The size of our tonsils may indicate whether or not we have an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Researchers also found in a recent study that the tongue can also shed light on the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. OSA blocks the upper respiratory tract, causing our breathing to be stopped over and over again.

Some people sleep badly every night, are not rested in the morning and wonder what the reasons are. The trigger could be obstructive sleep apnea. This blocks our breathing and prevents a restful sleep. Saudi Arabian scientists have now determined in an investigation that our tongue and tonsils may indicate that we are at increased risk for the disease. The researchers published their study in the journal "Saudi Medical Journal".

A large tongue or large tonsils may indicate an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). (Image: antimartina / Fotolia.com)

Obstructive sleep apnea can trigger dangerous sequelae
Large almonds may increase the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. But there are other factors that have a negative impact. Wells on our tongue, or tooth marks on the tongue, indicate that our tongue is too big for the mouth. A too large tongue also increases the likelihood of obstructive sleep apnea, explain the experts. The disease affects more than 18 million adults in the United States alone. As sufferers often suffer from interrupted and reduced sleep, fatigue, irritability and other difficulties can occur. In severe cases, the disease can even lead to learning and memory difficulties, heart attack, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, stroke or depression, the doctors add.

80 percent of the patients are men
The researchers studied 200 patients in clinics at the University of Dammam College of Dentistry in Saudi Arabia for their study. There, the participants had to complete the so-called Berlin questionnaire, a screening assessment for obstructive sleep apnea. Patients were also screened for known and potential OSA risk factors, including neck circumference, body weight, blood pressure and the size of their tongue, tonsils and suppositories, the physicians explain. Of the 200 participants, 23 percent had an increased risk for OSA. 80 percent of those affected were male. Obesity, large tonsils, and indentations in the tongue were the most common factors in people at high risk of the disease, say the experts.

Dentists should be informed about the characteristics of OSA
The results are, according to the researchers, particularly important for dentists and their education. Although dentists are not able to formally diagnose OSA in a patient, continuing with new knowledge about the condition could prevent cases of OSA from being diagnosed, the researchers explain. A dentist who recognizes an enlarged tongue or tonsils may suggest that patients visit a sleep specialist. Dentists need to know about the important role they play in identifying and treating patients with sleep-related disorders, says author Thikriat Al-Jewair. Dentists see their patients' mouth more often and more accurately than other doctors. That's why dentists could identify the signs more easily.