Sleep Apnea: What Is It? Do You Have It?
Zzzzzzs ... Sleep is vital to our health and well being. Not getting enough sleep can negatively affect our mood, performance, behavior, and overall health.
Millions of us don't get enough sleep, and a large number suffer from some form of sleep disorder. There are more than 80 different sleep disorders, one of which is sleep apnea.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea causes your breathing to stop or get shallow during sleep, and it can occur several hundred times every night. When this happens, your oxygen level drops and your heart rate can race. Your brain responds by waking to resume breathing. Since this can happen hundreds of times per night, you don't feel rested in the morning. This can be a serious, potentially life-threatening, and obviously life-altering condition.
How common is this disorder?
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute estimates 18 million Americans have sleep apnea. People who are overweight, over 40 years of age, and male are more likely to have sleep apnea, but it can affect anyone at any age.
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