Information on Sleep Apnea

An estimated one in every five adults around the world has a form of sleep apnea. This means more than 43 million people in the U.S. suffer from this condition. Even more alarming is that up to 80% of sufferers are unaware of their condition and remain undiagnosed and untreated.

Sleep apnea occurs when the body stops or significantly slows breathing during sleep, causing a disturbance in the sleep cycle and stress on the heart. The two most common forms of sleep apnea are obstructive (OSA) and central. OSA occurs when the muscle tissue in the throat collapses, blocking the passageway that allows air to flow to and from the lungs. Central apneas, which are less common and more complex, are miscues from the brain that cause the body to momentarily stop breathing.

Sleep apnea is linked to a variety of serious medical conditions, such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, obesity and Type 2 diabetes. The frequent disturbances in sleep also prevent sufferers from reaching the deepest levels of regenerative rest, leading to daytime sleepiness and restlessness that is severe enough to interfere with their personal, social and professional lives.