Factors that increase the risk of sleep apnea include:

• Fat deposits around your upper airway that can obstruct your breathing

• Those with large necks can have narrower airways

• Large tonsils or adenoids can block the airway

• Sleep apnea occurs significantly more often in older adults

• The use of alcohol can relax the muscles in your throat, which can make sleep apnea worse

• Smokers are much more at risk due to the increase in the amount of inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway

• If you have difficulty breathing through your nose it can make sleep apnea more likely

CPAP may prevent or reverse serious consequences of sleep apnea. Treating sleep apnea can help protect you from serious health risks, including:

• Heart disease

• Stroke

• Diabetes

• Motor vehicle accident

It can also improve areas of your life, including:

• Improved daytime alertness

• Improved concentration

• Improved emotional stability

• Eliminate snoring

• Lower medical expenses

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder.

The main types of sleep apnea are:

• Obstructive sleep apnea: the most common form that happens when throat muscles relax

• Central sleep apnea: it occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing

The most common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Loud snoring

• Stopping breathing during sleep

• Gasping for air during sleep

• Waking up with a dry mouth

• Morning headache

• Insomnia

• Excessive daytime sleepiness

• Hard to pay attention during waking hours