Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which a person momentarily stops breathing during sleep. This stoppage of airflow can happen hundreds of times during the night, with each event lasting 10 to 20 seconds in duration. This can cause the sufferer to feel unrested even after a full night of sleep. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious condition, and if left untreated, can cause a multitude of other health issues including hypertension (high blood pressure), heart attacks, stroke, liver problems, diabetes, and cardiomyopathy (heart enlargement).
There are 3 types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea: Caused by the relaxation of throat muscles. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea.
- Central sleep apnea: Caused by the brain and central nervous system’s failure to send important signals to breathing muscles.
- Treatment-emergent central sleep apnea: This is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Obesity and excessive weight around the throat and neck are the leading causes of obstructive sleep apnea but can affect normal-weight individuals as well. In a study published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) in 2012, sleep apnea likely affects nearly a billion people globally. Sleep apnea is more common in men, affecting 1 in 4, while sleep apnea affects only 1 in 10 women.
Symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Headaches, especially upon waking in the morning
- Recurrent awakenings that may include nighttime urination
- Snoring that causes dry mouth or sore throat
- Feeling excessively tired during the day
- Anxiety, depression, forgetfulness, irritability, or trouble focusing
- Night sweats
These symptoms may appear in children and adults alike.