{"id":395,"date":"2025-02-16T13:04:12","date_gmt":"2025-02-16T13:04:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.edfamilydental.com\/blog\/?p=395"},"modified":"2025-12-15T21:46:31","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T21:46:31","slug":"thanks-mom-dad-is-sleep-apnea-genetic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.edfamilydental.com\/blog\/2025\/02\/16\/thanks-mom-dad-is-sleep-apnea-genetic\/","title":{"rendered":"Thanks Mom & Dad!: Is Sleep Apnea Genetic?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"closeup<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Another morning, another chapter in your ongoing battle with your alarm alongside your faithful companion, the mighty Sir Snooze Button. You (along with roughly 30 million other Americans) have sleep apnea<\/a>, a condition that makes it almost impossible to get the rest you need. While there are many causes, one that is starting to get more attention is genetics. Is there a \u201csleep apnea gene\u201d that you got from your parents just like your eye and hair color? More importantly, does this mean that you\u2019ll ALWAYS contend with poor sleep?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Is There a Sleep Apnea Gene?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the scientific community learns more about the human genome, you\u2019ve probably seen a steady flow of news stories about the discovery of the \u201cAlzheimer\u2019s gene\u201d or the \u201cheight gene,\u201d and so on. In truth, a person\u2019s traits are determined by dozens, if not hundreds of individual genes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the moment, there is no \u201csleep apnea gene.\u201d Rather, several genetic factors have been shown to heighten the risk of this disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Your Genes Can Lead to Sleep Apnea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The following are all determined by your genes and proven to contribute to sleep apnea:<\/p>\n\n\n\n