Sleep apnea is a common condition in which your breathing stops and starts several times while you sleep. This can prevent your body from getting enough oxygen. You may want to talk to your doctor about sleep apnea if someone tells you that you snore or have shortness of breath during sleep, or if you experience other symptoms. symptoms poor quality sleep, such as excessive daytime sleepiness.
There are two types of sleep apnea.
- Obstructive sleep apnea This happens when your upper airway becomes repeatedly blocked while you sleep, reducing or completely stopping airflow. This is the most common type of sleep apnea. Anything that could narrow your airways, such as obesitylarge tonsils or changes in your levels may increase your risk for obstructive sleep apnea.
- Central sleep apnea This happens when your brain doesn’t send the signals needed to breathe. Health conditions that affect the way your brain controls your airways and chest muscles can cause central sleep apnea.
HAS diagnose sleep apnea, your provider may ask you to perform a sleep study. Breathing devices such as continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machines and lifestyle changes are common symptoms of sleep apnea. treatments. If these treatments don’t work, surgery may be recommended to correct the problem causing your sleep apnea. If your sleep apnea is not diagnosed or treated, you may not get enough quality sleep. This can lead to difficulty concentrating, making decisions, remembering things, or controlling behavior. Sleep apnea is also linked to serious health problems.
FACT SHEET
Your guide to healthy sleep
Learn basic facts about sleep and how sleep disorders such as sleep apnea can affect your health.
