When someone doesn’t get enough rest, they can become irritable, struggle with brain fog, experience headaches, and – of course – feel tired all the time. So if your beauty sleep is frequently interrupted by sleep apnea, you’d probably like to know what or who is responsible for it! Keep reading to learn how your symptoms might be affected by genetics.
Are Both Types of Sleep Apnea Genetic?
There are actually two main types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA). Both cause short lapses in breathing during sleep, but CSA has to do with brainstem signaling, while OSA involves airway blockages. At this time, only OSA seems to have any correlation with an individual’s genes, so that’s the type this post will focus on.
Genetic Factors that Influence OSA
As it turns out, there are many hereditary factors that can increase your risk of OSA – though it’s still a mystery as to which specific genes trigger the condition. Here’s what you should pay attention to:
- Direct family. Individuals who have a close family member with sleep apnea are 40% more likely to develop the condition.
- Body weight. Genes affect body weight and distribution; those who are obese or tend to store fat in their neck are more likely to have OSA.
- Facial structure. Genes also affect the shape of your face, which can impact how easily your airways become blocked.
- Breathing conditions. Respiratory issues with hereditary influences, like asthma, increase the likelihood of sleep apnea.
- Sleep pattern. More and more research shows how circadian rhythms are influenced by genetics – roughly 50% of the population are natural-born night owls, for example!
- Dopamine and serotonin production. Certain receptors responsible for dopamine and serotonin signaling are associated with OSA, which might partially explain why those with depression are significantly more at risk for sleep apnea.
Remember, even if you have family members that “check the box” for one or more of these factors, that doesn’t automatically mean you have OSA! You might be predisposed to developing this disorder, but it’s not a certainty until you experience symptoms or receive a diagnosis.
How Your Dentist Can Help
If you’re wondering what your dentist has to do with sleep apnea treatment, you wouldn’t be the first! Not many know that OSA is caused by airway blockage, which can be influenced by the position of the tongue, jaw, bite, and oral tissue. A dentist can adjust how these things sit in your mouth while you sleep with a custom oral appliance. Many patients start to see results after wearing this mouthguard-like device for just a few nights!
You may or may not have your parents to blame for your OSA, but that’s in the past. For a more restful tomorrow, you can count on your dentist.
About the Practice
Dr. Mohammad Golparvar and Dr. Fredrick M. Vega are highly experienced dentists – both because they’ve been in the field for over 20 years and because they’re constantly pursuing advanced training opportunities! If you’re in need of obstructive sleep apnea relief, Dr. Golparvar would be happy to lend his specialized skills and help you rest easy. To contact their office, call 603-669-4252.