27 Oct Who Is More Likely to Suffer from Sleep Apnea?
If your spouse has been complaining about your nighttime snoring, you may want to visit the dentist to see if you are suffering from sleep apnea. Far from a harmless condition, sleep apnea is a serious problem that can result in an obstructed airway, daytime fatigue, and other health concerns. When you are discussing sleep apnea with your dentist, he or she can provide you with an overview of some risk factors for this disease. Some types of people who are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea include:
Overweight People
Excess body weight has been linked to increased instances of sleep apnea. When a person is significantly overweight, he or she may carry fat deposits around his or her neck and upper chest. The extra weight can constrict the airway during the night, leading to breathing issues and snoring. Safe and healthy weight loss is a great way to reduce the risk of sleep apnea. It is important however to note that sleep apnea can exist and does exist in many people of ideal weight as well. Lastly sleep apnea is also linked to difficulty losing weight too.
Men
Sleep apnea is more common in men than women. Men may be more likely to develop sleep apnea due to body weight, airway size, or hormone levels. However, being a woman does not mean that you are free from the risks of sleep apnea. Women who are overweight, smokers, or have a family history of the condition are also have a higher risk of developing sleep apnea.
Smokers
Smokers are much more likely to develop sleep apnea at some point in their lifetimes. Along with causing many other medical problems, smoking constricts the airway and can cause a person to have difficulty breathing during the nighttime hours.
If you are having trouble getting a good night of sleep or issues with snoring, contact the team at Dr. Carsnon’s office by calling (520) 514-7203. He and his team will be able to provide you with more information about sleep apnea, and we offer a variety of treatment options to our patients. We look forward to providing you with preventative and cosmetic dentistry services in Tucson.