What is sleep apnea (also known as obstructive sleep apnea or OSA)?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), commonly known as sleep apnea, is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or have shallow breaths while you sleep. These pauses in your breathing are called “apneas” and they prevent air from getting to your lungs, which reduces the oxygen to your body.

This lack of oxygen causes many of the symptoms of sleep apnea, such as morning headaches and high blood pressure. However, these apneas also disrupt your sleep, which is why sleep apnea sufferers are so tired during the day. Often, the bed partner notices these symptoms first. Most sufferers don't know they have a problem and because everybody reacts differently to sleep apnea, it is often an overlooked condition.