Sleep Apnea Summary Sleep apnea is a common disorder that causes your breathing to stop or get very shallow. Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes. They may occur 30 times or more an hour. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea. It causes your airway to collapse or become blocked during sleep. Normal breathing starts again with a snort or choking sound. People with sleep apnea often snore loudly. However, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. You are more at risk for sleep apnea if you are overweight, male, or have a family history or small airways. Children with enlarged tonsils may also get it. Doctors diagnose sleep apnea based on medical and family histories, a physical exam, and sleep study results. When your sleep is interrupted throughout the night, you can be drowsy during the day. People with sleep apnea are at higher risk for car crashes, work-related accidents, and other medical problems. If you have it, it is important to get treatment. Lifestyle changes, mouthpieces, surgery, and breathing devices can treat sleep apnea in many people. NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute NIH MedlinePlus Magazine Advances in Sleep Studies Treatments and Therapies Always Tired? You May Have Sleep Apnea Food and Drug Administration CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute CPAP Devices for Sleep Apnea American Academy of Family Physicians CPAP Machines: Tips for Avoiding 10 Common Problems Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research How Is Sleep Apnea Treated? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Oral Appliance Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea American College of Chest Physicians Find an Expert American Sleep Apnea Association American Sleep Apnea Association Find a Sleep Center Near You American Academy of Sleep Medicine National Center on Sleep Disorders Research National Center on Sleep Disorders Research National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Encyclopedia Apnea of prematurity Children Apnea of Prematurity (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Pediatric Obesity and Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Sleep Apnea (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Sleep Apnea Detection American Academy of Pediatrics Array Central sleep apnea Nasal CPAP Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) Obstructive sleep apnea Pediatric sleep apnea Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) Specifics Central Sleep Apnea Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Obstructive Sleep Apnea Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Obstructive Sleep Apnea American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Sleep Apnea Syndromes National Institutes of Health Videos and Tutorials CPAP Tips Food and Drug Administration What Can You Do About Sleep Apnea? National Institute on Aging Related Issues CPAP Use in a Hospital or Surgical Setting American Sleep Apnea Association Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Sleep Apnea and Heart Disease, Stroke American Heart Association Study Finds a Connection between Glaucoma and Sleep Apnea American Academy of Ophthalmology Diagnosis and Tests Getting a Diagnosis for Sleep Apnea American Sleep Apnea Association Guide to Understanding Your Sleep Study American Sleep Apnea Association What Are Sleep Studies? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Journal Articles Sleep Apnea Start Here Sleep Apnea Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Sleep Apnea in Adults (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate Sleep Apnea Information Page National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke What Is Sleep Apnea? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Statistics and Research Sleep Apnea Facts American Association for Respiratory Care Latest News Still Tired After Getting Your Zzz’s? You Might Have Sleep Apnea HealthDay Crash Risk Soars When Truck Drivers Don’t Treat Sleep Apnea HealthDay Sleep Apnea May Raise Heart Risks in People with Pacemakers HealthDay