{"id":560,"date":"2026-05-09T07:31:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T07:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.castleberrycenter.com\/blog\/?p=560"},"modified":"2026-06-09T07:35:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T07:35:32","slug":"sleep-apnea-on-the-rise-what-you-should-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.castleberrycenter.com\/blog\/2026\/05\/09\/sleep-apnea-on-the-rise-what-you-should-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Sleep Apnea on the Rise? What You Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If it seems like more people are talking about sleep apnea<\/a> than ever before, you’re not imagining it. Sleep apnea diagnoses have increased significantly in recent years, and experts expect the condition to affect even more people in the coming decades. Greater awareness and improved screening methods have helped identify cases that may have previously gone undiagnosed, but lifestyle and health trends are also contributing to the rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding what increases your risk of sleep apnea can help you recognize potential warning signs and take steps to protect your overall health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Are More People Being Diagnosed with Sleep Apnea?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep. The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when the muscles in the throat relax and block the airway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several factors have contributed to the increase in diagnoses. Healthcare providers are becoming more aware of the condition, and patients are more likely to seek treatment for symptoms such as loud snoring, daytime fatigue, morning headaches, and poor-quality sleep. Advances in sleep studies and at-home testing have also made diagnosis more accessible than ever before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, some of the health conditions associated with sleep apnea have become more common, leading to a growing number of people at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While sleep apnea can affect anyone, certain factors make the condition more likely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Excess weight is one of the most significant risk factors. Carrying extra tissue around the neck and upper airway can increase the likelihood of airway obstruction during sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Age also plays a role. As people get older, muscle tone naturally decreases, which can contribute to airway collapse while sleeping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other risk factors include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n