Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when throat muscles intermittently relax and block the airway. Symptoms include loud snoring, episodes of breathing cessation witnessed by another person, abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking, morning headache, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Risk factors include obesity, narrowed airway, family history, and smoking. Untreated, sleep apnea can lead to cardiovascular problems, daytime fatigue, and complications with medications and surgery. Treatment often involves lifestyle changes, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, or oral appliances to keep the airway open.
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