Sleep apnea is a serious but treatable condition that causes breathing interruptions during sleep.
Understanding Sleep Apnea: Why It Disrupts Your Nights
Sleep apnea is a common condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when throat muscles relax and block the airway. Less often, central sleep apnea is caused by the brain not sending proper signals to the breathing muscles. In both cases, oxygen levels drop, triggering brief awakenings that interrupt deep, restorative sleep. Many people don’t remember waking up—but the result is a constant feeling of fatigue. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, about 30 million people in the U.S. may be affected, but most don’t know it.