Our genes influence everything from the color of our hair and eyes to our height and even our personality. They are often linked to an increased or lowered risk of developing certain health conditions as well, which raises a simple question: What role do genes play when it comes to sleep apnea? Is there a sleep apnea gene? Are you doomed to struggle with the condition because of an unfortunate hand dealt by nature? Fortunately, there is more nuance to the answer than this, and you don’t have to let your genes stand in the way of getting a good night’s rest.

Within the health community, sleep apnea is frequently referred to as a “growing problem.” That’s because the number of people with the condition is increasing each year (affecting around 30 million Americans), and it’s also closely tied to the obesity rate. In short, as more people become obese, more have sleep apnea. Researchers have discovered that either condition can lead to the other, so if you’re dealing with both issues, which one should you address first?