Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea

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Specific physical characteristics that may increase the risk for sleep apnea in both adults and children include:

A long lower part of the face
Brachycephaly, a birth defect in which the head tends to be shorter and wider than average
A narrow upper jaw
A receding chin
An overbite
A larger tongue

Characteristics in the Soft Palate. Some people have specific abnormalities in the soft area (palate) at the back of the mouth and throat that may lead to sleep apnea. These abnormalities include:

The soft palate is stiffer, larger than normal, or both. An enlarged soft palate may be a significant risk factor for sleep apnea.
The soft palate and the walls of the throat around it collapse easily.

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Smoking and Alcohol Use

Smoking. Smokers are at higher risk for apnea. Those who smoke more than two packs a day have a risk 40 times greater than nonsmokers.

Alcohol. Alcohol use has been associated with apnea, although studies are mixed. A major survey reported that 53% of people who use alcohol to help fall sleep experience symptoms of sleep apnea. Another study found no relationship.

Medical Conditions Related to Sleep Apnea

Diabetes. Diabetes is associated with sleep apnea and snoring. It is not clear if there is an independent relationship between the two conditions or whether obesity is the only common factor.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). GERD is a condition caused by acid backing up into the esophagus. It is a common cause of heartburn. GERD and sleep apnea often coincide. In one study, almost half of apnea patients had symptoms of GERD. Some experts suggest that the backup of stomach acid in GERD may produce spasms in the vocal cords (larynx), thereby blocking the flow of air to the lungs and causing apnea. Or, apnea itself may cause pressure changes that trigger GERD. Some evidence suggests that treating sleep apnea with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may reduce GERD symptoms by nearly 50%. However, obesity is common in both conditions and may be the common factor. More research is needed to clarify the association.