Sleep apnea is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition
that is far more common than generally understood. Sleep apnea
occurs in all age groups and both genders. It is more common in
men, although it may be underdiagnosed in women and young
African-Americans. It is estimated that as many as 18 million
Americans have sleep apnea. Early recognition and treatment of
sleep apnea is important, as it may be associated with: High
blood pressure Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents Sleep
apnea is a breathing disorder characterized by brief
interruptions of breathing during sleep. There are two types of
sleep apnea: Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to
send the appropriate signals to the muscles to initiate
breathing. Central sleep apnea is less common than obstructive
sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when air cannot flow
into or out of the person's nose or mouth although efforts to
breathe continue. Sleep apnea seems to run in some families,
suggesting a possible genetic basis.