Many people who think they simply have a snoring problem may actually be suffering from sleep apnea -- and ceasing to breathe hundreds of times per night.

Sleep apnea is a common condition that often goes undiagnosed unless a bed partner alerts a sufferer of the condition. It is one in which a person has one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while he or she sleeps. Greek for “without breath,” apnea is usually chronic, occurring three or more times per week. According to the National Institutes of Health, sleep apnea affects more than 12 million Americans.

Sleep apnea sufferers generally feel tired and poorly rested during the day. This is because the person moves out of deep sleep into shallow sleep when breathing becomes compromised. With each apnea occurrence, the brain briefly arouses the person so he or she can resume breathing, but sleep is extremely fragmented. Therefore, a quality sleep is not achieved.

Sleep apnea may be obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea, or mixed. OSA is when the airways become blocked or have collapsed during sleep. This type of apnea may be accompanied by snoring. That is because when you try to breathe, any air that squeezes past the blockage can cause loud snoring. Central sleep apnea is when the brain does not trigger the body to breathe correctly. It is much less common and doesn’t usually have snoring associated with it. Mixed is a combination of the two.

Sleep apnea can contribute to or cause a number of conditions. High blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, impotency, headaches, and even death can all be the result of apnea. Also, extreme daytime drowsiness may lead to poor performance at work, automobile accidents or other conditions from sleep deprivation.

Fortunately, sleep apnea can be easily treated once it is diagnosed. The key is to have it properly diagnosed. As mentioned, it can be overlooked if a doctor is not alerted to the condition by someone who has witnessed the cessation of breathing at night.

When to See a Doctor

• You snore loudly enough to wake others.

• You awaken in the morning with a dry mouth and sore throat.

• You repeatedly feel tired during the day despite a full night’s sleep.

• You have trouble staying asleep.

• You frequently experience morning headaches.

• Someone has witnessed your shortness of breath at night.