Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing for short periods of time while you sleep. This can lead to a number of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

There are two main types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type and occurs when the muscles in your throat relax and block your airway. Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain fails to send signals to your breathing muscles.

Symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Loud snoring
• Gasping for air during sleep
• Waking up feeling tired
• Daytime sleepiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Morning headaches

If you think you may have sleep apnea, it's important to see a doctor. Your doctor will likely ask you about your symptoms and do a physical exam. He or she may also order a sleep study to confirm the diagnosis. A sleep study is a test that records your breathing, heart rate, and oxygen levels while you sleep.

There are a number of different treatments for sleep apnea, including:

• Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and avoiding alcohol
• Oral appliances, which keep your airway open
• CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy, which delivers air into your airway through a mask
• Surgery, which may be necessary in some cases

Treatment for sleep apnea can improve your quality of life and reduce your risk of serious health problems. If you think you may have sleep apnea, talk to your doctor today.