Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes breathing to repeatedly stop or shallow while sleeping. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive, which occurs when the throat muscles relax and block the airway.

Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition because it can cause several different complications, many of which are severe or life-threatening long term. These include: Heart damage and heart failure.

One of the most common treatments is with a CPAP device. A CPAP machine is a continuous positive airway pressure machine that the individual wears at night. The airway pressure opens up the air passages which allows the patient to breathe easier.

There is no way to guarantee that you won’t develop sleep apnea. But there are things you can do to minimize the risk. It is important to live an active, healthy lifestyle that includes avoiding drinking and smoking, eating properly, and exercising regularly.