What is Sleep apnea?
'''Sleep apnea''' (or '''Sleep apnoea''') is a [[problem]] certain people, typically obese middle aged men, have. When they sleep, they may stop [[breath]]ing for short periods of time. These periods can last for 10 seconds or more. 3-4 breaths are ''missed''. As a result of this happening during sleep, those affected are often tired during the day. Mainly because such people also tend to have [[microsleep]], they should not drive vehicles. Sleep apnea is a treatable disease. Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much to allow normal breathing. These muscles support structures including the back of the roof of the mouth ([[soft palate]]), the triangular piece of tissue hanging from the soft palate ([[uvula]]), the [[Tonsil|tonsils]], and the [[tongue]]. When the muscles relax, the airway narrows or closes when breathe in, hampering the breathing for 10 seconds or longer. This will lower the level of [[oxygen]] in the blood and cause a buildup of carbon dioxide. ==Signs and symptoms== [[Signs and symptoms]] of sleep apnea are listed. *Observed episodes or periods of stopped breathing during sleep (>15 episodes in 1 hour indicates sleep apnea), followed by abrupt awakenings with choking and gasping, which then ends the episode *Loud snoring *Lowering of concentration *Morning headache *Difficulty concentrating during the day *Mood changes, such as depression or irritability *High blood pressure *Decreased libido *Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat ==Finding out if someone has sleep apnea== People can ask their partner or family member if they are breathing strangely when they are sleeping. Usually the patients partner or carer is the person who takes them to get checked. The doctor might test someone overnight in special monitored rooms the patient sleeps in, monitoring them with a camera and machines to watch their breathing and other signs, to check for episodes of sleep apnea. ==Treatment== [[File:Full face cpap mask.jpg|thumb|Full face cpap mask]] *In case the p