Risk Factors for Developing Insomnia and Sleep Apnea Combined September 24, 2026 Risk Factors for Developing Insomnia and Sleep Apnea Combined Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are common sleep disorders, and they often occur together. This combination is known as comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea, or COMISA. While anyone can experience COMISA, certain factors may increase your likelihood of developing one or both conditions. Some, such as age and genetics, are outside your control, while others relate to lifestyle and sleep habits. Age and sex Getting older increases the risk of both insomnia and sleep apnea, making age an important risk factor for COMISA.1, 2 Sex also plays a role, although the picture is not always straightforward. Insomnia is generally more common in women, while sleep apnea is more common in men.1, 2 However, women's risk of sleep apnea increases around menopause, and COMISA appears to be more evenly distributed between men and women.2, 3 Weight and your airway Some physical characteristics can make the airway more likely to narrow or close during sleep. Excess weight can increase fatty tissue around the neck and contribute to airway obstruction.2 Having a larger neck, tongue or tonsils, or a naturally narrow airway, can also increase the risk of OSA.2 Family history matters too. Genetics can influence the size and shape of your face and upper airway, potentially increasing your likelihood of developing sleep apnea.2 Insomnia can also run in families. Lifestyle and sleep habits Your daily routine can influence your sleep more than you might realise. Shift or night work, irregular sleeping hours, long daytime naps and frequent changes to your routine can disrupt your natural sleep-wake cycle and increase the risk of insomnia.1 Stress and worrying about sleep can also contribute to insomnia or make existing sleep difficulties worse.1 Smoking and alcohol can affect sleep apnea risk.2 Alcohol relaxes the muscles in the mouth and throat, which may make the airway more likely to close during sleep. Smoking can contribute to inflammation in the upper airway and interfere with breathing. Other health conditions Certain health conditions may also increase the likelihood of sleep apnea, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart failure.2 Hormonal conditions and chronic nasal congestion can also increase OSA risk.2 When should you speak to your doctor? Having risk factors does not necessarily mean you have COMISA. However, if you regularly struggle to fall or stay asleep and also experience snoring, breathing pauses, gasping, unrefreshing sleep or persistent daytime tiredness, speak with your doctor. Assessing for both insomnia and sleep apnea can help uncover what is disrupting your sleep and guide you towards the right treatment. How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help Having one or more risk factors for insomnia or sleep apnea does not necessarily mean you have COMISA. The next step is understanding what is actually happening during your sleep. At Sove CPAP Clinic, our clinical team includes Sleep and Respiratory Physicians alongside experienced Treatment Consultants who can assess your symptoms, sleep patterns and individual risk factors to help determine whether insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea or both may be contributing to your poor sleep. We offer bulk-billed home sleep studies for eligible patients to investigate for obstructive sleep apnea. If sleep apnea is identified – or insomnia symptoms are occurring alongside it – our team can help you understand your results and develop a personalised treatment pathway based on your individual needs. Depending on your assessment, this may include insomnia support, CPAP therapy, mandibular advancement splints (MAS), or further care with our clinical team. With face-to-face and telehealth consultations available, Sove can help you move beyond simply identifying your risk factors and take the next step towards understanding and treating your sleep problems. If you’re experiencing insomnia alongside snoring, breathing pauses, waking unrefreshed or persistent daytime tiredness, call our friendly team on 1300 76 29 39 or email info@thecpapclinic.com.au to find out how Sove can help. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. MAS is intended to assist in and or prevent snoring and/or obstructive sleep apnea. When considering whether a sleep study, MAS or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&Cs apply. References 1. NIH. “Insomnia - Causes and Risk Factors | NHLBI, NIH.” Www.Nhlbi.Nih.Gov, 24 Mar. 2022, https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026. 2) “Sleep Apnea - Causes and Risk Factors | NHLBI, NIH.” Www.Nhlbi.Nih.Gov, https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-apnea/causes-and-risk-factors. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026. 3. “General Practitioner Management of Comorbid Insomnia and Sleep Apnoea.” Australian Journal of General Practice, 2024, https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2023/september/general-practitioner-management-of-comorbid-insomn. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.
