{"id":1135,"date":"2026-04-16T12:34:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T12:34:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coloradosleepapnea.com\/blog\/?p=1135"},"modified":"2026-05-01T12:36:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T12:36:08","slug":"rheumatoid-arthritis-and-sleep-apnea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coloradosleepapnea.com\/blog\/rheumatoid-arthritis-and-sleep-apnea\/","title":{"rendered":"The Painful Connection Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Obstructive Sleep Apnea"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you\u2019re one of the approximately 1.3 to 1.5 million Americans who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you likely already know that this autoimmune disease can make everyday things like moving freely and getting a good night\u2019s sleep extremely difficult. In addition to the painful inflammation that is so common with this debilitating illness, patients with RA are also at a higher risk for another dangerous condition: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).<\/a> Here\u2019s a closer look at this connection, and how oral appliance therapy could help you finally get the rest you deserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious chronic autoimmune disease which causes the immune system to mistakenly attack the lining of the joints (synovium), resulting in painful swelling, inflammation, and even joint deformation.  It is more common in the small joints of the feet and hands, but can occur anywhere in the body, including the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of the jaw, and around the heart and lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is caused by an obstruction to the airway. This can be due to enlarged tonsils or even an excess of fatty tissue around the neck, throat, or tongue. Obesity and an enlarged neck may increase your risk of developing OSA by narrowing the airway, as can improper positioning of the jaw due to other conditions like TMJ disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Link Between RA & OSA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While there is no definitive link between RA and OSA, there are many possible connections, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n