Sleep apnea means that your breathing gets blocked for short periods while you sleep.
This may happen around 5 times an hour ... and for some people ...
up to 50 times an hour or more.
For some people, the throat muscles and tongue relax during sleep ...
causing the airway to get blocked.
For others, a problem with the position of the jaw can block breathing.
This kind of breathing trouble can cause problems ... for you and others ...
such as your partner. It means your body isn't getting the oxygen it needs.
And it means you're not getting a good night's sleep.
Good sleep helps your brain work the way it should and keeps your body healthy.
When you stop breathing, the amount of oxygen in your blood drops ...
so your heart has to work harder to get enough oxygen to your body's tissues.
This stress on your heart can lead to serious problems, like high blood pressure or heart disease.
Sleep apnea can also make it harder to manage other health problems, like diabetes.
And ... it can affect how you feel from day to day. You may have headaches ...
memory problems ... or trouble concentrating.
You may wake up not feeling rested ... and feel sleepy during the day ...
which makes you more likely to nod off.
If you treat sleep apnea, you can protect your heart and your brain.
You can also get all the benefits of a good night's sleep ...
like feeling rested each day ... so you'll feel healthier and feel better.
