What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. These pauses in breathing can last for several seconds and may occur dozens of times each night. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which happens when the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much and block the airway.

People with sleep apnea often experience loud snoring, restless sleep, morning headaches, or excessive daytime fatigue. Because the brain and body are repeatedly deprived of oxygen during the night, untreated sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart conditions, and other serious health issues over time.