We sleep for roughly one-third of our lives. It is, therefore, not surprising that sleep has a profound impact on our health and well-being. A sleep disorder called sleep apnea can have significant impacts on your physical and mental health. Sleep apnea occurs when breathing stops or becomes shallow during sleep due to muscular relaxation in the throat or tongue blocking their airway. This causes periods where they stop breathing for up to 10 seconds at a time! The duration of these pauses in breathing increases as you age, so it is essential to be aware if you are experiencing any symptoms of sleep apnea.
Symptoms include sleepiness during the day, snoring at night, or choking and gasping for air while you sleep. If left untreated, sleep apnea can contribute to several health problems, including high blood pressure, depression, type two diabetes, and an increased risk of heart disease. Some people even have severe accidents because they fall asleep in dangerous situations, such as driving a car or climbing a staircase.
