Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and restarts during sleep. Each pause called an apnea, reduces oxygen levels in the blood and prevents the deep, restorative sleep your body needs. Over the course of a night, these interruptions can occur dozens or even hundreds of times, often without the person being aware.
The consequences extend well beyond feeling tired. Untreated sleep apnea significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, chronic fatigue, cognitive decline and more. Many people with sleep apnea remain undiagnosed for years.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea can result from a combination of anatomical, functional, and lifestyle-related factors. Common causes include:
• A narrow or crowded airway
• Jaw positioning that restricts airflow during sleep
• Large tongue or collapse of soft tissue at the back of the throat
• Excess weight, particularly around the neck
• Nasal obstruction or congestion
• Family history of sleep-disordered breathing
• Alcohol consumption or smoking, which relax throat muscles