{"id":117,"date":"2024-09-11T17:00:17","date_gmt":"2024-09-11T17:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.healthysleeptulsa.com\/blog\/?p=117"},"modified":"2025-08-08T14:38:17","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T14:38:17","slug":"does-rheumatoid-arthritis-increase-the-risk-of-sleep-apnea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healthysleeptulsa.com\/blog\/does-rheumatoid-arthritis-increase-the-risk-of-sleep-apnea\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Increase the Risk of Sleep Apnea?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a painful condition that can significantly interfere with your quality of life. Unfortunately, it could even have an impact on your nighttime rest! This blog post explores the connection between rheumatoid arthritis and an increased risk of sleep apnea<\/a>. It also provides suggestions that might help you start getting the rejuvenating rest that you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sleep Apnea Have a Strong Correlation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

RA is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own tissue. It can have a great impact on the health and mobility of joints. Sleep apnea is a separate disorder; it causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. The most common type of this condition is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when tissues block the flow of air in the throat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A study from 2016 found that rates of sleep apnea were an astonishing 75% higher in individuals with RA, compared to those without RA. Different research, which was published in 2009<\/a>, found a 50% higher incidence of OSA in individuals with RA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The correlation between these two conditions should not be dismissed, especially since OSA can contribute to a range of other health conditions, including heart attack, stroke, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is the Reason for the Connection?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Researchers are not completely sure why there is such a strong correlation between OSA and RA. However, there are a number of possible explanations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n