Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea – Weatherford, TX

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) afflicts millions of people. Sadly, many of those cases remain undiagnosed for years! It is important that everyone in Weatherford understands, not just the potential symptoms of this condition, but also its risk factors. The earlier you receive care, the better! Could you develop sleep apnea? While anyone might eventually be diagnosed with it, there are certain factors that can heighten your risk, including the following:

Gaining Too Much Weight

Obesity is one of the biggest risk factors for OSA. That is because excessive fatty tissue around the neck and abdomen can place pressure on the airway, increasing the risk of blockages during sleep.

Fortunately, this risk factor is modifiable. Often, even a modest amount of weight loss can significantly improve nighttime breathing. Your primary care physician or a nutritionist may be able to help you design a reasonable plan for shedding extra pounds.

Narrowed Airway

A naturally narrow airway is more likely to become subject to obstructions during sleep. Your airway may be narrow due to a variety of factors, such as how genetics have influenced the development of your oral structures. Some childhood habits, such as thumb-sucking, can also affect airway function. Accidents and other factors can also come into play.

Being Male

It is estimated that men are 2 – 3 times more likely than premenopausal women to develop obstructive sleep apnea. This may be due to slight differences in airway anatomy. For example, men may have more soft tissue in their throat, which means there is greater potential for it to collapse and interfere with breathing. Men are also more likely to have greater amounts of abdominal fat than premenopausal women.

Age

Seniors tend to have a greater risk of OSA than younger people. This may be because the muscles in the airway usually become weaker with time, meaning that blockages and obstructions are more likely to occur.

Family History

Often, if one person in a family has OSA, their relatives should also be on the lookout for symptoms. Some genetic factors that influence airway shape and body composition may increase the risk of nighttime breathing problems.

Using Alcohol or Sedatives

Alcohol and sedatives, including some over-the-counter sleep aids, can cause muscles throughout the body to relax. In fact, they can cause overrelaxation in the tissues of the airway. Therefore, those tissues become more likely to collapse and lead to pauses in breathing. If you choose to drink alcohol, you should have your last drink at least a few hours before bedtime.

Smoking

Smoking irritates the airway, causing inflammation. In turn, this can increase the risk of disordered nighttime breathing. Quitting — or at least cutting back on — smoking can do much to decrease your risk of sleep apnea.

Nasal Congestion

If you cannot breathe through your nose, you become more likely to breathe through your mouth. This can lead to a dry throat and airway irritation, which in turn can contribute to episodes of sleep apnea. Temporary nasal congestion, such as what you might experience with a cold, is likely nothing to worry about. However, chronic nasal congestion can lead to long-term OSA.