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What is sleep apnea

What is Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night's sleep, you might have sleep apnea. The main types of sleep apnea are: Obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax and the upper airway becomes blocked repeatedly during sleep, reducing or completely stopping airflow. 

Types of Sleep Apnea 

OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Muscles in the throat relax when sleeping, causing you to stop breathing.

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CENTRAL SLEEP APNEA

This happens when the brain doesn't send proper signals to your throat muscles that control breathing.

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COMPLEX SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME

This is when someone has both Obstructive and Central Sleep Apnea.

Who is at risk

Sleep Apnea can occur in any age group, but is most commonly diagnosed for people over 50 and people who are overweight. Sleep apnea may also be found in people who take sedatives, have a large thyroid.

  • People over 50 

  • People that are overweight

  • Males

  • Large neck size

  • Family history of sleep apnea

  • Nasal obstructions 

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