COMMON RISK FACTORS FOR OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

• Worsens with increasing age with one out of 25 middle-aged men and one out of 50 middle-aged women affected by it

• Obesity with a BMI (body mass index) greater than 25

• 17-inch neck

• Rapid weight gain*

• Family history of disordered sleep and high blood pressure

• Alcohol and medications contributing to muscle relaxation and airway obstruction

• Craniofacial structure — persons generally have a high and narrow palate, elongated soft palate, small jaw and an abnormal overjet

• Enlarged tonsils and adenoids

• Race — higher incidence of obstructive sleep apnea in African Americans, Mexican Americans, Pacific Islanders and Asians

*Note: 50% of people who suffer from OSA are of normal weight