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Sleep Apnea Risk Factors & Diagnosis

Are You At Risk For Developing Sleep Apnea?

At Virginia Sleep & TMJ Therapy, our goal is to help treat your sleep apnea so you can get better sleep and have a better quality of life. In order to do that, we look into your symptoms, family history and other possible sleep apnea risk factors. While patients of all ages and genders can be affected by sleep apnea, certain conditions can put you at higher risk.

What Are Sleep Apnea Risk Factors?

Certain factors can increase your risk of developing sleep apnea. It is important to be aware of any risk factors you may have, including:

  • Obesity

  • Tobacco use

  • Alcohol use

  • Having a family member who has been diagnosed with the disorder

  • Sleeping on your back

  • Certain medical conditions, including hypothyroidism, diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart failure

  • Gender—more common in men than in women

  • Age—more common in those over the age of 60

  • Enlarged tongue and narrow upper and lower jaw structure

  • Nasal obstruction and sinus congestion

What Health Risks Are Associated With Sleep Apnea?

Untreated sleep apnea can often lead to other, more severe health problems. A person living with the disorder may have lower than normal blood oxygen levels due to their continued interrupted breathing. This can lead to additional symptoms, such as headaches, shortness of breath and a fast heart rate. In more severe cases, a drop in oxygen levels can even lead to hypoxemia, a condition where your blood oxygen levels become too low. This can worsen the symptoms of low blood oxygen and may also present itself in additional signs, such as a bluish tint to the skin, confusion and coughing or wheezing.

Other health risks include:

  • Heart attack

  • Atrial fibrillation

  • Stroke

  • High blood pressure, which can lead to cardiovascular disease or other cardiovascular problems

  • Diabetes—sleep apnea can worsen or cause insulin resistance

  • Obesity

  • ADHD, as the disorder can cause ADHD symptoms to become worse

  • Dementia

  • Depression and anxiety, as the disorder affects your sleep, which can negatively impact your mental health

  • The inability to concentrate, which can increase your risk of accidents

  • Impaired memory from a lack of deep sleep

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea

Your diagnosis can differ depending on your symptoms. Usually, a sleep study is needed to diagnose the type of sleep disorder you may have. If our team at Virginia Sleep & TMJ Therapy believes you are a good candidate for a sleep study, we may refer you to a sleep specialist for further testing and diagnosis. If a sleep specialist has already diagnosed you with a disorder, they can also refer you to our office for treatment. We look forward to meeting with you and working to reach a diagnosis, so you can be one step closer to getting sound sleep, every night.

sleep apnea risk factors

How Does A Sleep Study Work?

We or your primary care physician will first refer you to a sleep disorder center. Sometimes, a sleep specialist will order a home sleep test, where you will monitor your own breathing and oxygen levels overnight, or an overnight sleep study in the Sleep Clinic called a polysomnogram. Sleep studies monitor your breathing patterns, blood oxygen levels and more in order to accurately diagnose your disorder. Diagnosis methods can vary based on the type of sleep disorder you have and your health issues.

Get The Rest You Deserve

If you have any questions or concerns about sleep apnea risk factors, or you are interested in learning more about diagnosing different types of sleep apnea, please call our Richmond, VA office at (804) 729-3474. We look forward to helping you sleep better!