Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects about 18 million Americans. It occurs when your airway becomes blocked or narrowed during sleep, interrupting your breathing.
This can lead to a number of health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. Severe sleep apnea is a more serious form of the disorder that affects about 2 percent of Americans.
People with severe sleep apnea have difficulty breathing 30 or more times per hour while they're asleep.
This can not only lead to health problems, but also to fatigue and daytime drowsiness. Severe sleep apnea may also increase your risk for car accidents and other types of accidents.
If you think you may have severe sleep apnea, it's important to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.