Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) - Risk Factors

It is estimated that more than 12 million Americans this disorder.  Anyone can have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA); it may occur if you are old or young, male or female.  Even children can have sleep apnea. 

Certain factors put you at increased risk:

• Excess weight.  Fat tissue around your upper airway may obstruct your breathing.  However, not everyone who has sleep apnea is overweight.  Thin people can have this disorder tool.
• Gender.  Men are twice as likely to have OSA as women.  However, women increase their risk if they are overweight, and the risk will rise after menopause.
• Neck circumference.  The size of your neck may indicate if you are at increased risk for OSA.  A thick neck may narrow the airway and is possibly an indicator of excess weight.  For men a neck circumference greater than 17 inches is associated with an increased risk for OSA.
• Age.  If you are older than 65 you are two to three times more likely to have OSA.
• High blood pressure (hypertension).  Sleep apnea is common in people with hypertension.
• Structure of face and neck.  OSA is more common in people with a small or narrow maxilla (boney area in roof of mouth).  Large tonsils or large tongue can also increase the risk of OSA.
• Smoking.  Smokers are at greater risk than nonsmokers.  Smoking will increase the amount of inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway.  Smoking cessation will eliminate this risk factor.
• Use of sedatives, alcohol or tranquilizers.  These substances relax the muscles in your throat, increasing the risk of obstruction.