Determining the Risks: How Likely are You to Develop Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that can affect people of all ages. Basically, the muscles at the back of the throat do not keep the airway open, despite normal breathing patterns. This makes breathing difficult while sleeping, thus causing lack of sleep and oxygen starvation which can then lead to more serious illnesses such as memory problems hypertension and heart disease.
Determine if you are at risk of having sleep apnea. This will help you decide if you need to visit a doctor in Brandon, FL for treatment.
People with Vices
People with vices are more likely to develop sleep apnea than those who don’t. For instance, drinking alcoholic beverages can cause some difficulty sleeping as it disrupts the natural cycle of sleep. You might want to think twice before taking that night cap before hitting the hay. On the other hand, smokers are also at a high risk as smoking causes inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway.
People Who Have Narrow Airways
Some people naturally have trouble breathing, even when they’re not asleep. This can be because of a narrow throat or nasal congestion. These conditions are likely to make breathing much more difficult during bedtime. All the same, people who have tonsils or adenoids that have become enlarged may also suffer from blocked airways, causing obstructive sleep apnea.
People with Excess Weight
According to Mayo Clinic, people who are obese are four times more likely to develop sleep apnea than those who maintain the average weight. This is because fat deposits around the upper airway obstructs breathing. Remember that for adults, a BMI (body mass index) of 25 or higher is an indication of being overweight. A specialist in sleep apnea Brandon, FL may recommend reducing weight through exercise and proper diet.
People who Inherit the Condition
Those who come from a family of people suffering from sleep apnea are also twice at risk to develop the condition. This can be due to inherited traits like the common causes of narrow airways mentioned above. However, this can also be due to common lifestyles shared among family members. While on the topic of genetics, you should also know that according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, men are twice as likely to have sleep apnea than women.
It pays to know certain risks when it comes to health. To learn more about sleep apnea and possible treatment options, visit the American Academy of Sleep Medication website by going to http://www.sleepeducation.org.
Sources:
Sleep Apnea, sleepfoundation.org
Diseases and Conditions Sleep apnea, mayoclinic.org
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