More people have been diagnosed with sleep apnea in recent years – especially in the United States. This serious sleep disorder causes breathing to stop repetitively throughout the night. Sleep apnea seems to be becoming more common. Read on to learn more about sleep apnea, why it is on the rise, its risk factors, and what you can do about them.
Why Is Sleep Apnea Becoming More Common?
Sleep apnea diagnoses are becoming increasingly common. For many patients, this condition can be tied to one of the most common risk factors: obesity. When one has excess body weight, it can negatively affect the symptoms of sleep apnea because it puts more pressure on the upper airway during sleep. This can cause the airway to collapse, and breathing will temporarily stop.
Obesity has become more common all over the world, but especially in the United States. Generally speaking, this is due to the population consuming more high-calorie, high-fat foods as well as limited physical activity. Processed foods that contain a lot of sugar, sodium, and artificial ingredients can take a toll on your health. When you stick to a nutritious diet and exercise regularly, you can significantly reduce your risk of sleep apnea and other dangerous health conditions.
What Are the Risk Factors of Sleep Apnea?
Apart from obesity, there are many factors that increase your risk of developing sleep apnea. Here are some of the most prominent ones.
- Family history
- Old age
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Some medications
- Alcohol use
- Smoking
- Large adenoid or tonsils
- Misaligned or small lower jaw
How Can You Combat the Risk Factors of Sleep Apnea?
For many, making lifestyle changes at home can prevent the onset of sleep apnea. Here are some steps you can take to lower your risk.
- Lose Excess Weight: If you are overweight, losing excess weight can help to relieve constriction of the airway.
- Exercise: Exercising can help to improve your condition.
- Avoid Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can worsen obstructive sleep apnea and sleepiness. This is also the case with anti-anxiety medications and sleeping pills.
- Sleep Positions: Sleeping on your back can cause your tongue and soft palate to block your airway. Try to sleep on your side instead.
- Keep Your Nasal Passage Open: If you tend to get congested, try using saline nasal spray to keep your nasal passages open. You should also discuss nasal decongestants or antihistamines.
Sleep apnea cases may be increasing, but you don’t need to be a part of those statistics. By making healthy lifestyle choices at home and being mindful of your risk factors, you might be able to keep sleep apnea at bay.
About the Practice
At Sleep Rehab, Dr. Keane Fedosky and Dr. Cara Kessler work together to treat patients in the Plano area. If you are showing signs of sleep apnea, they’d be happy to help. To learn more about sleep apnea or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (972) 496-0515.