For many years, sleep apnea was thought to be primarily caused by obesity or other lifestyle factors. However, advances in genetic research have revealed a more complex picture of the disorder.
Sleep apnea is a serious condition affecting as many as 30 million Americans yearly. Recent studies have shed light on sleep apnea’s genetic basis, with promising implications for developing new prevention and treatment strategies.
Is sleep apnea genetic? The question has been on many patients’ minds, who may be concerned about whether their sleep apnea is in their genes. Explore the link between sleep apnea and genetics and what causes this condition.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a health condition indicated by interrupted breathing during sleep. It occurs when an individual’s airway becomes blocked or narrowed, leading to breathing pauses that last from seconds to minutes. These pauses can occur throughout the night, disrupting the individual’s sleep and leading to daytime fatigue and other health problems.
Sleep apnea is often diagnosed and treated by a sleep specialist or sleep apnea dentist, who uses a variety of tests, like a sleep study, to determine the severity and underlying cause of an individual’s sleep apnea.
Causes of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea isn’t just snoring, it can lead to some serious health problems. If you don’t want to end up having heart disease or high blood pressure, it’s crucial to treat your sleep apnea properly. To do that, it’s essential to know what’s causing it in the first place.
Obesity
One of the main grounds of sleep apnea is obesity. Excessive fat deposits around the upper airway can obstruct breathing during sleep. Additionally, obesity can cause changes in hormone levels and fat distribution, further increasing the risk factor for sleep apnea. Losing weight by means of regular exercise and a healthy diet can help reduce the severity of sleep apnea or even eliminate it.
Narrow Airway
A narrow airway can also contribute to sleep apnea. This can be due to naturally small airways, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or a physical abnormality like a deviated septum. When the airway is narrow, it’s more likely to become obstructed during sleep. This obstruction causes breathing to stop and start, leading to sleep apnea. Surgery may be necessary to correct any physical abnormalities causing a narrow airway.
Gender & Age
Sleep apnea is more likely to develop in men than women and is also more common in older adults. This may be due to natural changes in the body as we age, such as the loss of muscle tone in the throat and tongue. Additionally, men tend to carry excess weight around the neck, which can increase the risk of sleep apnea. Women undergoing menopause are also at a higher risk for sleep apnea due to hormonal changes.
Alcohol & Sedatives
Drinking alcohol or taking sedatives before bedtime can also increase the risk of sleep apnea. These substances relax the muscles in the body, including those in the throat and tongue, making breathing more difficult during sleep. Avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bedtime can help to reduce the risk of sleep apnea.
Genetics
Evidence suggests that genetics play a role in the development of sleep apnea. Certain physical traits, such as a small jaw or a thicker neck circumference, can also be genetically inherited, increasing the risk of sleep apnea. Genetics can influence the shape and size of our airways and contribute to sleep apnea.
Sleeping Position
Sleeping in a position that causes the tongue and soft tissues to collapse in the back of the throat can cause sleep apnea.
Nasal Congestion
Nasal congestion is another contributing factor to sleep apnea. Allergies or sinus infections can lead to nasal congestion that can result in difficulty breathing through the nose and increased snoring.
Can Sleep Apnea Be Genetic?
Experts believe that sleep apnea is a polygenic disorder, which means that it is likely caused by the interaction of many genes rather than a single gene mutation. This can make identifying specific genes associated with sleep apnea challenging.
A study conducted in 2007 by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania discovered that individuals with a certain variant of the (5-HTT) or serotonin transporter gene were more likely to have sleep apnea than those without it. The serotonin transporter is responsible for the reuptake of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in sleep regulation, among other functions. The variant of the gene in question may lead to a decreased rate of serotonin reuptake, resulting in disrupted sleep patterns.
Is Sleep Apnea Hereditary?
Sleep apnea is believed to have a strong genetic component that can run in families. Studies of families with multiple members affected by sleep apnea have suggested that specific genes may make individuals more susceptible to developing the disorder.
Patients may inherit the conditions that cause sleep apnea, such as obesity and developing nasal congestion. Another condition that may be inherited and cause sleep apnea is Down syndrome. People with this syndrome have a higher risk of developing sleep apnea due to differences in the size and shape of their airways.
Can You Develop Sleep Apnea?
A person can develop sleep apnea through a combination of factors that affect their airway and breathing during sleep. Factors contributing to the development of sleep apnea include obesity, genetics, age, and anatomical features. Obesity can cause excess fat deposits around the neck and throat, leading to increased pressure on the airway, making it more susceptible to collapse during sleep.
Genetics may predispose an individual to sleep apnea if there is a history of the disorder in the family and through inherited traits such as narrow airways or a recessed jaw. Lastly, anatomical features such as enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or a deviated septum may obstruct the airway, increasing the likelihood of developing sleep apnea.
What Age Does Sleep Apnea Start?
Sleep apnea can affect individuals of all ages, from infants to older people. However, some age groups are more susceptible to the condition than others. For instance, sleep apnea is more prevalent in adults over the age of 40, particularly in those who are overweight or obese. Men are also more likely to develop sleep apnea than women, although the risk increases in women after menopause.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can occur in children of any age, although it is more prevalent in preschool to school-aged children. Some children may outgrow OSA as they get older, while others may require medical intervention to manage the condition.
When to See a Doctor
The first step if you suspect you have sleep apnea is to make an appointment with your primary healthcare provider. Your doctor will almost certainly send you to a sleep specialist for further assessment and diagnosis.
Here are some signs that you should consult a doctor about your sleep apnea:
- You snore loudly
- You experience daytime fatigue
- You wake up gasping or choking
- You have high blood pressure:
- You experience headaches in the morning
- You have an irregular heartbeat
Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
Diagnosing sleep apnea typically involves a sleep study, also known as a polysomnography. During a sleep study, a patient spends a night in a sleep lab where their brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and oxygen levels are monitored. The study is conducted by a trained sleep specialist who attaches sensors to the patient’s scalp, chest, and legs to record the data.
The sleep study will determine the number of apnea episodes per hour of sleep, known as the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). An AHI of 5 to 15 is considered mild sleep apnea, moderate is from 15 to 30, and over 30 is severe.
In some cases, a home sleep test may be prescribed instead of a sleep lab study. The home sleep test involves wearing a small device that records breathing patterns and oxygen levels while sleeping in the comfort of your own bed. Once a diagnosis is made, treatment options are discussed with a healthcare professional.
Take Control of Your Sleep Apnea With Garza DDS
Tired of feeling exhausted because of sleep apnea? Say hello to rejuvenating sleep with Garza DDS! Dr. Garza will provide a personalized treatment plan just for you, ensuring you get the deep, restful sleep you deserve. At Garza DDS, we understand your challenges, so we’ll provide top-notch care and support every step of the way. Take control of your sleep apnea today and live life to the fullest with Garza DDS.