Obstructive sleep apnea is the most prevalent type of sleep apnea: a category of disorders united by the occurrence of repeated interruptions of normal breathing while sleeping, due to a defect in the control of contraction and relaxation of upper airway muscles (in particular, those of the back of the mouth and soft palate).
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is not only a nuisance for the sufferer and those sleeping in close proximity (due to the associated intense snoring), but it is a significant health problem, as it results in continuous micro-awakenings that prevent one from resting well and achieving the deep sleep states necessary to allow the body to “regenerate.”
In addition, fragmented sleep does not allow one to benefit from the physiological nighttime drop in heart rate and blood pressure, exposing one to increased cardiovascular risk.
