Sleep apnea is a condition that affects millions of Americans, keeping them from the good night’s rest they deserve. It occurs when the airway becomes obstructed by relaxed throat muscles or the tongue, leading to difficulty breathing while asleep. This interrupted breathing causes those affected to awaken throughout the night—usually without even realizing it. Unfortunately, poor sleep is just the beginning of the problems that sleep apnea can cause. Read on to learn why this issue can be detrimental to your health and day to day life.

If you find out that sleep apnea is the reason you’re tired and irritable all the time, your first question is naturally likely to be, “How did this start?” A sleep disorder can be linked to a mix of lifestyle factors, including obesity and overuse of alcohol. But is it possible to be born with it? As it turns out, your genetics may end up contributing to a sleep disorder – and that could have severe implications for your health in the long term.

Most people don’t realize they’re suffering from sleep apnea until they’ve received a proper diagnosis. As such, it’s fairly easy to overlook the potentially devastating effect the condition could have on your health. Sleep apnea can cause your breathing to stop 5 to 30 times every hour while you’re asleep, and the loss of oxygen can put a strain on your body – and that naturally includes your heart. Read on to learn more about the connection between breathing-related sleep disorders and heart health – and why being proactive about improving the quality of your slumber might save your life.

Maybe you grew up with a parent that had to undergo sleep apnea treatment at some point. Or maybe you’re a parent yourself that has recently had to wrestle with the disorder. In either case, there’s most likely a nagging question in your mind: can sleep apnea be passed down from parent to child? Knowing well in advance to watch out for signs of sleep apnea could end up saving you from serious health issues later down the line. Here’s what you need to know about the role that genetics does (and does not) play in the development of a sleep disorder.

Snoring doesn’t often occur in younger children. If you notice your little one making such sounds in their sleep, you might think that it’s cute at first; however, you need to keep in mind that it could be a sign that something is very, very wrong. Snoring is often connected to severe sleep disorders, and while sleep apnea in kids is rare, it is still highly dangerous. To make sure you can recognize this disorder and get your kids the treatment they need when they need it, keep reading.

Improved health and wellness is an important priority for millions of people — and rightly so, for without it, what do we have left? Yet, the true foundation on which we are able to preserve, maintain, and/or restore our health is often overlooked. Quality sleep. It’s so simple but frequently relegated to the bottom of our priority list because after all, life. Amiright?

During the coronavirus pandemic, the best thing you can do is to give your body the best possible care to try and stay healthy. Naturally, “a good night’s sleep” should be at the top of your list. But what if you simply can’t get the rest you need? Patients with sleep apnea may find themselves waking up frequently throughout the night – and that could compromise their immunity against the coronavirus and other diseases. To keep you and your family safe, it’s important that you fully understand the effects sleep apnea has on your body.

In an effort to curtail the damaging effects of smoking traditional cigarettes, smokers and non-smokers alike are taking up e-cigarettes, popularly known as vapes. With 8 million Americans regularly vaping, and traditional cigarette use reaching a record low in 2018, a CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) study indicates that vaping numbers are on the rise. While many folks turn to e-cigarettes as an alternative to burning tobacco, the number of first-time tobacco users is also increasing and largely consists of young adults. 

Snoring can be more than just an annoying sound for your loved ones to deal with. For many people, it’s a sign that they have sleep apnea, a dangerous disorder that constantly interrupts your nightly slumber and could eventually lead to heart attacks and other health issues. But what you may not realize is that the severity of the snoring may give us a clue regarding whether or not you’re truly suffering from sleep apnea. Is mild snoring just as concerning as heavy snoring? Keep reading to find out the truth behind these nighttime noises.