Getting enough sleep is important. It's a simple concept, yet it is one that many Americans choose to ignore. A shocking 51 percent of the adult respondents in the poll admit to getting behind the wheel and driving while drowsy, putting not only themselves but also other drivers in danger on the road. For some people, the solution is simply to get more sleep. For those with sleeping disorders, such as sleep apnea, the solution may be a little more complicated because they may already be getting enough sleep as far as quantity goes, but medical intervention may be necessary for them to get enough quality sleep.
Sleep apnea affects a person's ability to breathe normally while sleeping.
According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 18 million people in America are affected by sleep apnea. The problem is just as common as adult diabetes. While sleep apnea can affect anyone, young or old, male or female, the most common risk factors indicate that the more likely candidates are male, over age forty, overweight, or a combination of the three.