What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. This happens because the muscles in your throat relax too much, blocking your airway. When this occurs, your brain wakes you up just enough to reopen your airway, which can disrupt your sleep many times throughout the night.

People with sleep apnea often snore loudly and feel very tired during the day, even after a full night’s sleep. Other symptoms can include waking up with a dry mouth, morning headaches, and difficulty concentrating. There are different types of sleep apnea, but the most common one is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Treatment options include lifestyle changes, using a CPAP machine to keep your airway open, and sometimes surgery.