Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterised by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses, known as apneas, can last for several seconds or even minutes and occur multiple times throughout the night.
There are three main types of sleep apnea:
* Obstructive sleep apnea: This is the most common type of sleep apnea and occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open during sleep.
* Central sleep apnea: This occurs when the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the muscles that control breathing.
* Complex sleep apnea syndrome: This is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Some common symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, and difficulty concentrating.
Sleep apnea can have serious health consequences if left untreated. It has been linked to a variety of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It can also increase the risk of accidents and injuries due to daytime sleepiness.
Treatment for sleep apnea typically involves the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which delivers air pressure through a mask worn over the nose and/or mouth during sleep. Other treatment options may include lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bed, and sleeping on one's side rather than the back.
Sleep apnea
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