Sleep apnea happens when a person’s breathing stops or is interrupted during sleep. Apneic episodes can cause poor sleep, reduce the flow of oxygen to vital organs, and lead to serious health consequences.
More than 22 million Americans, and more than 100 million people worldwide suffer from it. The word “apnea” comes from the Greek word meaning “wanting breath.” Apneic periods typically repeat between 10 to 60 times per hour within a 7-hour night.