Sleep apnea creates several problems, including:
- Interruptions of breathing while sleeping that can last from a few seconds to minutes.
- Frequent waking from sleep, even though you may not realize it.
- Light sleeping. Waking up so many times a night interferes with the normal pattern of sleep causing more time to be spent in light sleep than in more restorative, deeper sleep.
- Strain on the heart. Prolonged suffering from obstructive sleep apnea often results in higher blood pressure and may cause enlargement of the heart, with higher risks of heart attack and stroke.
- Poor night's sleep. This leads to drowsiness during the day and can interfere with your quality of life and increase risk for car accidents.