Sleep apnea is present in about 1 in 5 adults, and in more than 50% of patients with type 2 diabetes; but the vast majority of people with sleep apnea are undiagnosed.
Common misperceptions are that sleep apnea is a “male disease,” and that only obese people suffer from sleep apnea. The stereotypical patient with sleep apnea is a middle-aged, overweight male; however, anyone can suffer from this condition.
Risk factors for sleep apnea
- Male gender
- Menopausal state
- Excessive weight/ central abdominal obesity*
- Large neck circumference (>17″ in men; >16″ in women)
- Physical inactivity*
- Diagnosis of hypertension
- Excess tissue in the upper airway
- Age*
- Ethnicity*
- Excessive use of alcohol or sedatives
- Endocrine and metabolic disorders
- Family history of sleep apnea
*Risk factors common to both sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes