Medical Conditions That Cause Sleep Apnea

There are several medical conditions that can cause sleep apnea. Some cases are part of an underlying hormonal disorder, such as hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland) or acromegaly (excess bone growth due to oversecretion of growth hormone). Sleep apnea also occurs in some patients with Marfan syndrome, an inherited disorder in which anatomical structures that are built of connective tissue are very weak. A Marfan patient's weakened airway may collapse easily, impeding airflow.