Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. There are three types of apnea: obstructive, central, and mixed; of the three, obstructive is the most common. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses and closes during sleep.

Untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, impotency, and headaches. Moreover, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for job impairment and motor vehicle crashes. Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated. Several treatment options exist, and research into additional options continues.

The Greek word “apnea” literally means “without breath.”

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