Understanding Sleep Apnea
What sleep apnea is, in plain terms
Sleep apnea is more common than most people think. An estimated 1 in 5 adults has it, and most have never been diagnosed. It happens when the soft tissue at the back of the throat relaxes during sleep and blocks the airway, which causes you to stop breathing for short periods. This can happen hundreds of times a night.
Each pause nudges your brain awake just enough to restart your breathing. You almost never remember it, but it pulls you out of deep sleep again and again. That is why you can spend a full night in bed and still wake up tired, and why untreated sleep apnea puts ongoing strain on your heart and overall health.
The good news is that it is very treatable, often with a small device you wear only while you sleep.