Sleep apnea
sleep disorder characterized by repeated cessation and commencing of breathing that disrupts sleep / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sleep apnea (or Sleep apnoea) is a problem certain people, typically obese middle aged men, have. When they sleep, they may stop breathing for short periods of time. These periods can last for 10 seconds or more. 3-4 breaths are missed. As a result of this happening during sleep, those affected are often tired during the day. Mainly because such people also tend to have microsleep, they should not drive vehicles. Sleep apnea is a treatable disease.
Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much to allow normal breathing. These muscles support structures including the back of the roof of the mouth (soft palate), the triangular piece of tissue hanging from the soft palate (uvula), the tonsils, and the tongue.
When the muscles relax, the airway narrows or closes when breathe in, hampering the breathing for 10 seconds or longer. This will lower the level of oxygen in the blood and cause a buildup of carbon dioxide.