Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea – Flagstaff, AZ

Age

Although it can affect people of any age, your risk for sleep apnea increases dramatically as you get older. In fact, while most adults aged 30 to 49 have just a 10 percent risk of developing this condition, this number skyrockets to over 50 percent in those who are 65 or older.

Gender

Sleep apnea can affect both men and women but has a higher risk of affecting men. In fact, men are two to eight times more likely to develop sleep apnea than women. It also affects about 24 percent of the male population, as compared to just 9 percent of women.

For women, sleep apnea can often be misdiagnosed due to milder symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia and depression.

Obesity

Being obese or overweight is the leading risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Alarmingly, just a 10 percent weight increase can result in a sixfold higher risk in developing this condition. This is because excess fat (especially around the abdomen and neck) can apply pressure to and narrow the airway, leading to its collapse during sleep. Research shows that between 60 and 90 percent of adults with OSA have a body mass index (BMI) of over 25.

Smoking

People who smoke are at an increased risk of developing OSA, and smoking worsens the severity of symptoms of those who do have it. That’s because smoking can cause inflammation, swelling and fluid retention in the upper airway. In fact, smokers are 2.5 to 4.4 times more likely to suffer from moderate to severe OSA as compared to those who don’t smoke, because nicotine can increase the risk of airway collapse and disrupt your overall sleep quality.

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Finally, genetics can often play a role in sleep apnea. An estimated 35 to 40 percent of cases may be hereditary. Studies have even found that if you have a closely related family member with OSA, your own risk of developing it is around 50 percent.