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What Causes Sleep Apnea? (Causes & Risk Factors)
Why Does Sleep Apnea Happen?
Sleep apnea doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong. It often starts quietly and is tied to your body’s structure and signals. In this guide, we’ll explore the Causes of Sleep Apnea and how these underlying factors can impact your overall health.
🫁 What Happens During Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea happens when your breathing pauses or becomes shallow while you sleep. There are two main types:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Your throat muscles relax too much and block the airway.
- Central Sleep Apnea: Your brain doesn't send the right signals to keep you breathing.
Some people have a mix of both. When your body struggles to breathe, it wakes you up-often without you realizing it,over and over again.
👃 Physical Causes
Certain physical features can make you more likely to have sleep apnea, especially obstructive types:
- Thicker neck or narrow airway
- Large tonsils or tongue
- Small jaw or recessed chin
- Nasal congestion or deviated septum
These traits can block airflow while you sleep, especially when your muscles relax at night.
⚖️ Lifestyle & Health Factors
Sleep apnea can also be influenced by habits, health, or life stage. These include:
- Weight gain or obesity (extra tissue around the throat)
- Drinking alcohol before bed
- Using sedatives or sleep medications
- Smoking or poor sleep posture
- Aging or menopause
These factors don’t directly cause sleep apnea, but they increase the chances of it developing and can make existing symptoms more frequent and severe. Understanding these influences can help you recognize when it’s time to take action.
💙 This Isn’t Your Fault
Many people feel frustrated when they learn they have sleep apnea. But it’s not a sign you’ve done something wrong. Most causes of sleep apnea are linked to things you didn’t choose, like your anatomy, aging, or family history.
The most important thing is knowing that treatment works, and the sooner you understand your risk, the better your sleep and health can become.
🔍 Want to Understand Your Risk?
ClaraWell™ can guide you through a quick and easy assessment to help you find out if your symptoms or risk factors suggest sleep apnea. It only takes a few minutes.
Curious if sleep apnea might be affecting you? ClaraWell™ can walk you through a quick assessment to help you understand your potential risk and what steps to take next.
Take the Risk Test Now