What is sleep apnea?
Quick Answer
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.
The Full Story
The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when throat muscles relax and block the airway, causing pauses of 10 seconds or more. The brain briefly wakes the sleeper to restart breathing, sometimes hundreds of times a night, often without them remembering. Signs include loud snoring, gasping, morning headaches and daytime sleepiness. A 2019 study estimated nearly 1 billion people worldwide have obstructive sleep apnea. Untreated, it raises the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and accidents; CPAP machines, which keep the airway open with air pressure, are a common treatment.
Key Facts
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Suggested video title for this topic:
"Loud snoring could be a sign you stop breathing at night"