Sleep is a crucial state where your mind and body rest and repair. A good night’s sleep impacts every aspect of health and daily life. It makes you look, feel, and perform your best. That being said, a sleep problem can be harmful to health and well-being. Two of the most common sleep disorders are snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

Sleep apnea is a condition where you stop breathing while sleeping. When this is caused by an obstruction, we refer to it as obstructive sleep apnea. For example, a common cause is when throat muscles relax and your airway narrows. It becomes hard, or impossible, to take a full breath. Oxygen levels drop and your brain sends a signal to rouse you from sleep. Gasping, snorting, and choking are common signs of this type of arousal.

Roughly 25 million adults in the U.S. have OSA. It is more common in men, but women can have it too, especially during and after menopause. Excess body weight, a narrow airway, family history, smoking, or a misaligned jaw increase the risk of OSA.

Treating OSA is very important to your overall health. Untreated, it can cause excessive daytime tiredness, headaches, or even memory loss. It can increase your risk of drowsy driving and workplace accidents. Other health issues can arise due to OSA including high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, acid reflux, and erectile dysfunction. Severe untreated OSA can even increase risk of death.