Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with a number of other medical disorders. Conditions which appear to predispose one to OSA include hypothyroidism (not enough thyroid hormone) and acromegaly (too much growth hormone). Nasal and facial conditions due to congenital or developmental abnormalities may cause OA in children and if uncorrected continue to do so as they become adults. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids are a major cause of OSA in children. In women polycystic ovarian disease has been associated with the development of OSA, and pregnancy, while not an abnormal medical condition, can be a reversible cause of OSA. Obesity is the most common medical condition that causes with OSA. Tumors in the upper airway must always be considered as a possible cause of OSA, but fortunately they are quite rare.
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