Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) afflicts millions of adults in the U.S. Do you have some family members with this condition? If so, you may wonder if you are also at risk. You might be! While your lifestyle can impact your chances of getting OSA, there are also several genetic factors that could come into play. This blog post explains what you should know.
Hereditary Factors that Influence OSA Risk
Your genes can influence many aspects of your health, including factors that play into OSA risk. Some examples of this include:
- Craniofacial structure: The shape and proportions of your jaw, palate, and facial bones can be influenced by your genes. People with specific craniofacial traits are at a higher risk of airway obstruction during sleep.
- Obesity predisposition: Genetics can impact your likelihood of becoming overweight. Excess weight, especially around the neck and upper airway, increases pressure on the airway and can contribute to OSA.
- Neck circumference: A larger neck circumference, which can be hereditary, is associated with a greater risk of OSA.
- Family history: Studies have shown that having relatives with sleep apnea raises your risk significantly. This might be due to a specific gene known as RMST/NEDD1.
- Hormonal factors: Some hormone imbalances that affect breathing patterns can also be inherited and play a role in sleep apnea risk.
Protecting Yourself from OSA
While you cannot change your genetic makeup, you have the power to take steps that may reduce your risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea.
Here are some practical strategies that you can implement:
- Maintain a healthy weight: Achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight reduces the amount of fatty tissue around your airway, making it less likely to collapse during sleep.
- Exercise regularly: Physical activity helps control weight, improves muscle tone, and can contribute to better sleep quality.
- Avoid alcohol and sedatives: These substances relax the muscles in your throat, increasing the chance of airway obstruction at night.
- Quit smoking: Smoking can cause inflammation and fluid retention in your airway, which raises the risk of OSA.
- Sleep on your side: Sleeping on your back can cause your tongue and soft palate to collapse to the back of your throat and obstruct your airway.
- Monitor your symptoms: Pay attention to signs such as loud snoring, pauses in breathing, daytime fatigue, and morning headaches. If you notice these, consult a healthcare provider.
- Get regular checkups: If you have a family history of sleep apnea, inform your doctor and discuss whether you should have a sleep study or other evaluations.
OSA can run in families! Be aware of relevant risk factors so you can protect the quality of your nightly shuteye.
Meet the Practice
At Four Down Dental in Enfield, our experienced and knowledgeable team is proud to provide sleep apnea treatment in the form of oral appliance therapy. This effective CPAP alternative has already helped countless patients! To learn more about it and how we may be able to help you safeguard your health, contact our office at 860-856-6928.