What is Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. These pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes and can occur multiple times per hour. When breathing resumes, it's often accompanied by a snort, choking sound, or loud snore.

There are two main types of sleep apnea:

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): This is the more common form of sleep apnea. It occurs when the throat muscles relax, blocking the airway. As a result, airflow is reduced or stopped altogether.

2. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): This type is less common and occurs when the brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea:

1. Loud Snoring: Especially common in obstructive sleep apnea, though not everyone who snores has sleep apnea.

2. Pauses in Breathing: Witnessed by someone else, as the person with sleep apnea may not be aware of these pauses.

3. Gasping for Air: Often occurs as breathing resumes after a pause.

4. Morning Headaches: Due to the decrease in oxygen or the increase in carbon dioxide during apnea events.

5. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: Despite getting a full night's sleep, you may still feel tired during the day.

6. Difficulty Concentrating: Due to disrupted sleep patterns.

7. Irritability: Related to poor sleep quality.

8. Forgetfulness: Resulting from sleep disruption.

9. Mood Changes: Including depression or anxiety, which can be exacerbated by poor sleep.

10. Night Sweats: Often due to the body's effort to breathe during apnea events.

11. Dry Mouth or Sore Throat: From breathing through the mouth during sleep.
    

It's important to note that not everyone with sleep apnea will experience all of these symptoms, and symptoms can vary in severity. Additionally, certain factors like obesity, smoking, alcohol use, and anatomical factors can increase the risk of developing sleep apnea.