Do you snore loudly in the night or wake up gasping for air? You might have sleep apnea. This happens when the muscles in your throat and neck relax during sleep and become so relaxed that they block your airway. To restart the flow of oxygen, you briefly wake up throughout the night to tighten these muscles. This can happen in less than a second, so in the morning you may not remember waking up.
Sleep apnea causes disrupted sleep, poor REM sleep, daytime fatigue, and more. Here are the main risk factors for sleep apnea, including your overall health, lifestyle, and genetics.
Hereditary Factors and Sleep Apnea
Researchers estimate that approximately 40% of Obstructive Sleep Apnea cases have a genetic component. This means that for some people, sleep apnea can be hereditary. If you have close relatives with sleep apnea, you are more likely to develop it as well.
The genetic component can increase your risk even if you’re otherwise healthy. You may inherit physical traits such as a larger neck, a narrow airway, or a small or recessed jaw, all of which can raise your risk. You may also share lifestyle habits within families, such as physical activity levels or eating patterns, that can further influence your risk.
Other Factors that Contribute to Sleep Apnea
Hereditary factors often overlap with other health and lifestyle factors. Several additional factors can increase your risk of sleep apnea, including:
- Heart conditions: Heart failure or a history of stroke can increase your risk
- Age: Risk increases as you get older
- Gender: Men are more likely to develop sleep apnea than women
- Weight: Being overweight significantly increases your risk
- Hypertension: High blood pressure is linked to a higher risk of sleep apnea
- Alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol, especially in the evening, relaxes the muscles in your throat and may block your airway during sleep
The Signs of Sleep Apnea
If you’re concerned you may have sleep apnea, watch for these signs. You can also ask family members or a partner to help you recognize symptoms.
- Loud snoring at night
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Waking up gasping for air
- Waking up with a dry mouth
- Frequent morning headaches
- Daytime fatigue
- Irritability or mood changes
- Difficulty concentrating
The most common signs include loud snoring that is suddenly interrupted by pauses in breathing. Because you’re asleep, you may not notice these symptoms yourself. Often, a partner is the first to recognize the warning signs.
Should You Visit a Sleep Specialist?
If you’re experiencing poor sleep most nights and it has been ongoing for several weeks or months, it’s time to visit a sleep specialist. If your partner has mentioned loud snoring or irregular breathing during the night, take it seriously. These may be signs of sleep apnea.
Whether your sleep apnea is hereditary or influenced by lifestyle or health factors, visit Sound Sleep Medical. We can perform a sleep test to better understand your condition. This may include discussing your symptoms, speaking with your partner, and monitoring your sleep overnight to track your heart rate, oxygen levels, breathing patterns, and snoring.
Sound Sleep Medical
Even if your sleep apnea is hereditary, you don’t have to live with it untreated. Effective treatment options are available. At Sound Sleep Medical, we’ll help you improve your overall health and recommend lifestyle changes that support better sleep. We may also suggest treatments such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy to help keep your airway open at night.
If you have sleep apnea, we’ll help you find the appropriate treatment method so you can get the restful sleep you need.
