Sleep Apnea is when your breathing becomes either shallow or pauses while you are asleep.  The pauses can occur over five times an hour and can happen three or more times a week.  This can be caused by your brain not telling the muscles that make you breath it is time to do so, but the more common cause of it is obstructive (when your airway is blocked or collapsed) sleep apnea.

If left untreated, it can cause your risk of heart attack, hypertension, stroke, diabetes and obesity to increase.  Your doctor may try treating you by suggesting lifestyle changes, surgeries, mouthpieces, or breathing devices, such as a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine.  CPAP therapy, which is the most common form of treatment for adults who have moderate to severe cases, works by blowing a continuous flow of air pressure, which helps to keep the airway walls from narrowing or becoming blocked.

One of the main complaints of the sleep apnea machine is that the mask covers both the nose and mouth, which seems overwhelming and can make the patient feel claustrophobic.  Some of the other side effects are a stuffy or dry nose, which can be helped with a nose spray or attaching a heated humidifier to the machine, the mask can cause skin irritations or allergies, changing masks may help this.  A dry mouth may be from breathing with your mouth open, in which case a chin strap to hold it shut may help, if not, try the heated humidifier attachment.  Runny nose or congestion, sinusitis, sneezing or nosebleeds may be alleviated with a saline solution, a mask refit, or the heated humidifier, while the stomach bloating probably needs the setting to be adjusted.

In the event your doctor prescribes surgery, it will be for the purpose of widening the breathing passageway.  This is done either by getting rid of the excess tissue or stiffening it.  They get rid of the excess tissue by shrinking it, or removing it from the mouth and throat, while the tissue can be stiffened by inserting a piece of plastic in it.  They will also reset the jaw.

Since there are no blood tests to diagnose sleep apnea, many people have it without realizing it.  Not getting a good sleep is an indication you may have it.  Having your spouse listen to you carefully at night can be a big help to your doctor.  It is a serious disease for which there is help, so please see your doctor if you suspect you have it.