Sleep apnea is a serious and very common disorder.
It affects 1 in 25 adult males and 1 in 50 adult females. First described in 1965, sleep apnea is a breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. Central sleep apnea, which is less common, occurs when the brain fails to send signals to the muscles to start breathing. OSA is typically seen in overweight persons who snore, but may be seen in others. The human airway is composed of soft tissues that require muscles to remain open.