Are You At Risk for Sleep Apnea?
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• | Excess Weight: An increase in weight, or excessive weight, can increase your risk of sleep apnea. This is due to bulky tissue that collects around the neck region. This excessive tissue can close the throat, especially while lying down. |
• | Smoking: Smoking tobacco or marijuana, along with any constant exposure to smoke including frequent yard waste burning or campfires, can damage the upper airway muscle function leading to obstructive sleep apnea. In addition, burning any biological factor puts tar in your lungs, decreasing your lung capacity. |
• | Narrowed Airway: People can have a narrowed airway due to multiple causes including their tonsils or adenoids, or a deviated septum or turbinate reduction due to inflamed tissue from allergies. In addition, a person may temporarily experience obstructive sleep apnea during a period of nasal congestion from allergies or sickness. |
• | Other Medical Conditions: A wide range of other medical conditions can increase your risk of obstructive sleep apnea. This may be due to certain medications, changes to your sleeping position, and other body changes due to the health condition. |
• | Male: Studies indicate that men are at risk two to three times higher than women in developing obstructive sleep apnea. This is primarily due to structural differences in their throat, and circumference differences in neck size comparison. |
• | Alcohol Use: Alcohol consumption can help more than your nerves relax, it causes your muscles to relax as well. Increased relaxation in the muscles in your throat can cause a narrowing in the throat and difficulty for air to pass. |
Get in touch
![]() All Smiles Sleep Solutions 17200 Camelot Ct. UNIT 101, Land O’Lakes, FL 34638-7279 Call 813-345-8580 Satellite Location: 1180 Ponce DeLeon, Suite 401 Clearwater, FL 34756 |