Is sleep apnea an sign of something else underlying or something more serious?

See below: Sleep apnea can be co-morbid with many other conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, obesity, among other disorders. It is recommended that if you have sleep apnea, that it be evaluated by a sleep medicine specialist. Untreated sleep apnea can cause daytime sleepiness and poor sleep, which can impact your daily routine. Hope that helps!

Risk factor ITSELF: The risk of sleep apnea itself is very high, no matter what the causes are. Obesity is a predisposing factor and a risk factor itself, but sleep apnea must be treated as soon as possible, before (or parallel with) any other workup.

Probably not: Most cases of sleep disorders and even sleep apnea are due to obstruction of the upper respiratory tract. Large tonsils, large uvula, large lingual tonsils are but a few of the structures involved in obstructive sleep apnea. There is also central apnea which involves the respiratory center in the medulla of the brain. Most sleep study centers are supervised by neurologists who are experts.

Not usually...: although sleep apnea can lead to bad health consequences and should be treated as a condition unto itself.