Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when throat muscles relax while sleeping and the airway becomes temporarily obstructed. Symptoms include loud snoring, episodes when you stop breathing during sleep, awakening with a dry mouth, insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness.
Risk factors include excessive weight, increased neck circumference and a thick neck, a narrow throat, male sex, smoking and the use of alcohol, tranquilizers, and sedatives.
The consequences of sleep apnea, such as daytime fatigue, elevated blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, and liver problems, can be lessened with effective treatment. Weight loss and smoking cessation can help, as can the medical therapies CPAP (continuous airway pressure while sleeping) and oral appliances that pull the tongue away from the back of the throat, both of which open the airway. Surgery is not usually recommended.