Sleep Apnea: The Causes and Risk Factors

Sleep apnea: The causes and risk factors

August 2023

Have you been recently diagnosed with sleep apnea, or suspect you are suffering from it? You are not alone. In order to properly treat sleep apnea (rather than give you a band-aid, such as a CPAP machine), knowing the cause of your sleep apnea is extremely important. It can be impossible to know what the root cause of your sleep apnea is without doing some investigating. Keep reading to learn more about the causes of sleep apnea and receive the proper treatment for sleep apnea.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, you might have sleep apnea.

The main types of sleep apnea are:

  1. Obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax
  2. Central sleep apnea, which occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing
  3. Complex sleep apnea syndrome, also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, which occurs when someone has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea

Causes and risk factors of sleep apnea

Some of the major causes of sleep apnea include:

  • Being overweight. Obesity is a very common cause of sleep apnea because the excess fat around the neck can obstruct the airways. A simple lifestyle change of losing weight can greatly reduce sleep apnea symptoms or potentially get rid of it all together.
  • Anatomy. Many people naturally have thicker necks, narrow throats, large tonsils, dental issues, or jaw issues that can cause sleep apnea.
  • Use of certain medications. Many medications, such as sleep aids and other sedatives, can relax throat muscles and cause sleep apnea.
  • Use of alcohol or smoking. Smokers are three times more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea than people who’ve never smoked. Smoking can increase the amount of inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway.
  • Medical conditions. Certain medical conditions put people at a higher likelihood of developing sleep apnea. Congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Polycystic ovary syndrome, hormonal disorders, prior stroke, and asthma.

Sleep apnea treatment with raio dental

Sometimes, sleep apnea can be helped through certain lifestyle changes. However, if it is not enough and you are looking for relief from sleep apnea symptoms, we are here for you to help you take the next step.

Located in Medford, New York, Dr. Raio is an Airway Health Specialist and Restorative Dentist. He has over 25 years of clinical experience and is a strong advocate of ongoing education, and remains on the cutting edge of the most advanced treatments available for the treatment of his patients. The clinic offers a wide range of services, such as general services, specialty services, and sleep dentistry.

National Dental

Post-Surgery Care: Successful Dental Implant Recovery Tips!

November 2024Did you know that dental implants boast an impressive success rate of over 95% when proper care is followed after surgery? That's great news if you've invested in this cutting-edge ...

Read more

National Dental

Temporary Dental Bridge vs Permanent: Which Option Is Best for You?

October 2024When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental bridges are vital for restoring both function and aesthetics. If you're considering tooth replacement options in New York, it's essential to understand ...

Read more

National Dental

Is a Black Tooth an Emergency? Here’s What You Need to Know

October 2024Imagine checking your smile in the mirror and noticing one of your teeth has turned black. Naturally, your first question is, "Is a black tooth an emergency?".Even if there's no ...

Read more

National Dental

Can You Have Teeth Extracted While Pregnant? Understanding the Safety and Risks

September 2024Pregnancy is a time of excitement and anticipation, but it can also bring unexpected dental issues that require prompt attention. One common question that arises is, “Can you have teeth ...

Read more

National Dental

The Dental Bone Graft Healing Stages: A Step-by-Step Guide

August 20243 in 4 people say a beautiful smile is the #1 physical trait to make a first impression of others. A beautiful and healthy smile is a vital part of overall ...

Read more

National Dental

Dental Inlays vs. Crowns: Which Dental Restoration is Right for You?

August 2024Let's face it, nobody enjoys a chipped tooth. It can be a pain (literally!), throw off your smile game, and make you feel like a popcorn kernel waiting to happen.  ...

Read more

National Dental

What To Eat After Fluoride Treatment?

May 2024Cavities are a pain in the...enamel. But there is a treatment that can save you from all the pain! What's that? Fluoride! Studies show that professional fluoride treatments can reduce cavities by ...

Read more

National Dental

What is Crown Lengthening? - A Dentist’s Guide

April 2024You're preparing for a special event, maybe a wedding or a job interview, and you're excited to put your best smile forward. But as you glance in the mirror, all ...

Read more

National Dental

How Do You Know If You Need an Apicoectomy? Recognizing the Signs and Solutions

August 2024You're enjoying a leisurely day when suddenly, it hits you—a throbbing ache in your tooth that refuses to be ignored. You've been down this road before, having undergone a root ...

Read more

National Dental

What Are Some Great Dental Tips For The Holidays?

May 2024Tis the season to be jolly, and as the saying goes, "We wish you a Merry Christmas and a cavity-free New Year!" Okay, that might not be the traditional holiday ...

Read more

National Dental

Migraine It Might Be TMJ

March 2024TMJ can cause migraine-like headaches Did you know a study found that 100% of people with chronic migraines had TMJ, compared to just 54% of those without migraines? There are several ...

Read more

National Dental

TMJ treatment: The causes of TMJ

March 2024TMJ pain can be very difficult to live with. It does not go away on its own; in fact, it gets worse and worse over time, affecting more areas of ...

Read more

Most Read

Post-Surgery Care: Successful Dental Implant Recovery Tips!

November 2024Did you know that dental implants boast an impressive success rate of over 95% when proper care is followed after surgery? That's great news if you've invested in this cutting-edge ...

Read more

Temporary Dental Bridge vs Permanent: Which Option Is Best for You?

October 2024When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental bridges are vital for restoring both function and aesthetics. If you're considering tooth replacement options in New York, it's essential to understand ...

Read more

Is a Black Tooth an Emergency? Here’s What You Need to Know

October 2024Imagine checking your smile in the mirror and noticing one of your teeth has turned black. Naturally, your first question is, "Is a black tooth an emergency?".Even if there's no ...

Read more

Can You Have Teeth Extracted While Pregnant? Understanding the Safety and Risks

September 2024Pregnancy is a time of excitement and anticipation, but it can also bring unexpected dental issues that require prompt attention. One common question that arises is, “Can you have teeth ...

Read more