Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is the most common type of sleep disorder
The condition can be a serious health risk and lead to daytime sleepiness, poor quality of life, depression, irritability, personality changes and other difficulties. Furthermore, it increases your likelihood for obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Sleep apnea may run in your family, but that doesn't guarantee you will develop it. The condition is caused by a combination of factors including genetics, lifestyle choices and overall health.
Research has revealed that obstructive sleep apnea may have a 40% hereditary component, meaning you are more likely to develop it if your family members do. This is because many traits associated with the disorder are heritable - like the shape of your airway or lower jaw - which could make for an advantageous genetic match.
CPAP treatmentsleep apnea treatment
Research still needs to be done on the exact mechanisms by which sleep apnea is heritable, making it impossible to definitively say whether it has a genetic component. Regardless, if you experience any symptoms associated with this disorder, don't hesitate to see your doctor immediately.
