If sleep apnea is keeping you from getting the rest you need at night, you’ll naturally want to know what’s causing it. Unfortunately, the answer is usually quite complicated, as there could be any number of factors contributing to your sleep disorder. One particular potential factor you’ll want to keep in mind, however, is genetics. Here’s why you need to take note if your parents had sleep apnea.
What Exactly is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder. It causes your breathing to repeatedly stop while you’re asleep, forcing your body to wake up to resume the flow of air. People with sleep apnea usually experience poor-quality sleep and are excessively tired during the day as a result.
The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when the airway is blocked, usually by collapsed tissues in the mouth or throat. There’s also a rarer form of the disorder called central sleep apnea, which is when the brain fails to send the correct signals to tell the rest of the body to continue breathing.
How Can Genetics Contribute to Sleep Apnea?
Research has shown that people with family members who have obstructive sleep apnea are at a higher-than-average risk of developing the disorder themselves. There are many ways your genetics could increase your chances for sleep apnea:
- Genes can influence body weight, which is one of the biggest contributing factors for sleep apnea.
- The anatomy of the face – which includes the size and shape of your nose and the placement of your jaw – can affect how wide the airway is and how easily it can become blocked.
- Some experts think genetics might affect the muscles and neural signals involved in breathing, which in turn could impact your likelihood of developing sleep apnea. More research is needed to fully understand this particular connection.
It should be noted that genes seem to mainly play a role in obstructive sleep apnea. Meanwhile, central sleep apnea has not been found to be hereditary; the cause for the disorder lies elsewhere.
What Can You Do If Your Genes Put You at Risk for Sleep Apnea?
If you know that obstructive sleep apnea runs in your family, you’ll want to be aware of any potential warning signs for the disorder, such as loud snoring, daytime tiredness, and frequent headaches. You should seek a diagnosis immediately if you have any reason to think you might already be experiencing sleep apnea.
Once you’ve confirmed that you have the disorder, you can explore your treatment options. For example, you might be able to get an oral appliance from your dentist that keeps your airway open while you’re asleep.
Remember: even if sleep apnea does run in your family, it doesn’t have to have a devastating impact on your life. By keeping your personal risks in mind and being proactive about seeking care, you can get your disorder under control and enjoy peaceful, well-rested nights again.
About the Practice
At Little Rock Family Dental Care, we have multiple general dentists and several specialists who are dedicated to making sure that all of your family’s dental needs are met. We offer customized oral appliances to help patients with sleep apnea overcome their disorder and enjoy quality rest again. To schedule a consultation with us, visit our website or call (501) 954-9900.