What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a type of breathing disorder.
People with this condition stop breathing for short periods (10 seconds or more) while they sleep. They may not even know that their breathing at night isn't normal.
Sleep apnea is common. About 26% of all Americans have some form of sleep apnea. The true number may be more than that because many cases may go undetected.
More men than women have sleep apnea. It's also more common in people who are overweight.
Obstructive sleep apnea can increase your risk of getting health problems, such as:
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Stroke.
- Heart attack.
- Headaches.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Depression.
- Memory loss.
What Are the Types of Sleep Apnea?
There are two types of sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
OSA is the most common type.
It happens when your:
- Throat muscles relax too far.
- Airway narrows.
- Blood oxygen levels decrease.
Once your brain senses the problem, you startle awake — snorting, choking, or gasping for air.
Central sleep apnea (CSA)
CSA happens when the brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that help with breathing.
It's often found in people with other health problems, like heart failure or stroke.
What Are the Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea?
Risk factors for sleep apnea depend on which type you have.
OSA risk factors
- Being overweight.
- Having a large neck.
- Being a man.
- Being older.
- Having a family history of sleep apnea.
- Drinking alcohol.
- Using sedation .drugs
- Smoking.
- Nasal congestion.
CSA risk factors
- Heart issues.
- Stroke.
- Being a man.
- Being older.
- Sleeping at high altitudes.
- Taking opioid drugs.