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Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening disorder characterized by interruptions of breathing during sleep.

Sleep apnea is divided into different types: central and obstructive. Central sleep apnea is the least common of the two and occurs when the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the breathing muscles that initiate respiration. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when air cannot flow into or out of the person's nose or mouth, although efforts to breathe continue.

Some nights, an individual who suffers from sleep apnea may experience as many as 100 to 200 involuntary breathing pauses, also known as "apneic events." The frequent disruption of deep sleep often leads to early morning headaches and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Sleep apnea occurs among all age groups and between both sexes, but is most common in men, especially those who are overweight. An estimated 18 million Americans live with sleep apnea.

One proven, non-surgical treatment of sleep apnea is called Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). CPAP users wear a mask that fits over the nose during sleep. The mask pushes air into the user's airway, which supports the tissues in the throat and prevents breath stoppage.

It is important to detect and treat sleep apnea early. It may be associated with irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

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