Inflammation in Asthma and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Inflammation is an immune response in which white blood cells produce chemicals to fight a foreign substance and occurs in both asthma and obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea produces a low level of inflammation in an adult or child. Factors such as hereditary, lifestyle and your environment are capable of increasing this level of inflammation to epic proportions.
Belly fat produces inflammation that occurs before the start of obstructive sleep apnea. This same inflammation may also affect the lungs and cause asthma. Even as early as puberty, metabolic factors such as having a large waistline, high blood pressure, high levels of fat, cholesterol and sugar in the blood are driving the development of sleep apnea, just as we see in adults.
Researchers have found that inflammation in the lining of the upper airway results in it being more collapsible and makes OSA worse. Inflammation causes the inner lining of the airways to swell and produce mucus. This makes the airway more sensitive to asthmatic triggers.