Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects approximately 18 million Americans. However, it can become serious. In sleep apnea, an individual's breathing stops or gets very shallow. Each pause in breathing typically lasts 10 to 20 seconds or more and can occur 20 to 30 times or more an hour.

The most common strain of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea and is characterized by the inability to get enough air through your mouth and nose into your lungs. When this occurs, the amount of oxygen in your blood may drop. Normal breathing resumes with a snort or choking sound. In many cases, people with sleep apnea snore loudly. However, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea.

In most cases, the individual who suffers from sleep apnea isn't aware that they are having difficulty breathing, even upon awakening. Sleep apnea is identified by others who witness the individual during episodes or is assumed because of its effects on the body. A person can suffer from sleep apnea for many years without identification. The sufferer may become accustomed to the daytime sleepiness and tiredness associated with significant levels of sleep disturbance.

Specialist
Pulmonologist

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