There are numerous risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea. They can come from a person’s age, weight, environment, sleeping position, race, gender, health, and family history. If you are unsure of how at risk you are for obstructive sleep apnea, consider some of these risk factors. For anyone that has a good number of these risk factors, you may want to consider talking to your primary care physician about getting checked for this potentially dangerous diagnosis.

Controllable Risk Factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

When it comes to lowering your risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea, you have a few things you can do to help. First of all, if you smoke, stop now. Aside from the miserable list of dangers this habit adds to your body, sleep apnea chances increase exponentially. The same goes for anyone that drinks alcohol, since it relaxes your body. Those who are overweight are at a higher risk to develop obstructive sleep apnea, as are those who tend to sleep on their backs. If you want to decrease your chances, make sure you are sleeping on your side or stomach, keep your body as healthy as possible, and keep dangerous substances out of your body.

Uncontrollable Risk Factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

While there are some risk factors you can change or improve to decrease your chances of getting obstructive sleep apnea, some are simply going to remain out of your control. If you happened to be born a male, then your chances of this diagnosis nearly double. Your family history when it comes to sleep apnea is another risk factor you can do nothing about. African American individuals have higher chances of developing obstructive sleep apnea than those of any other decent. Also, the older you get, the more your chances of developing this condition go up.

If you want to avoid developing obstructive sleep apnea, take the time to take care of yourself. While you cannot control each risk factor, you can keep your body healthy. The healthier you are, the lower your chances of facing a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea will be.

Find out if you are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea by contacting Dr. Levy today.

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