Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep. These interruptions can last for several seconds or longer and can occur dozens or even hundreds of times per night, leading to fragmented and poor-quality sleep.

The two most common types of sleep apnea are obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA). OSA occurs when the airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep, usually due to relaxed throat muscles. CSA occurs when the brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

Symptoms of sleep apnea may include loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, and difficulty concentrating. Sleep apnea has also been linked to other health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

Treatment for sleep apnea typically involves lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, and sleeping on your side. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the most common medical treatment for sleep apnea. CPAP involves wearing a mask over the nose and/or mouth during sleep, which delivers a continuous stream of air to keep the airway open.

Other treatment options may include oral appliances, which reposition the jaw and tongue to help keep the airway open, or surgery to remove excess tissue from the throat or nose. In some cases, a combination of treatments may be used to effectively manage sleep apnea.

If you suspect that you may have sleep apnea, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider for an evaluation and proper diagnosis. Untreated sleep apnea can have serious health consequences, so it is important to seek treatment if you are experiencing symptoms.