Obstructive sleep apnea (Greek for “want of breath”) is a breathing disorder that affects millions of people across the U.S. Sleep apnea causes a person to involuntarily stop breathing for a few moments during sleep. This can occur up to 30 times an hour, usually without the affected person even knowing.

What physically happens when someone has sleep apnea is the throat muscles and tongue that relax during sleep actually cause the airway to become blocked. Breathing then becomes difficult or noisy, which results in unsettled sleep and numerous side affects.

“When I had sleep apnea I was sweating so much during sleep that my pillow was absolutely drenched,” says CalorieKing.com member Butch Costello in describing his experience of sleep apnea. “I was also kicking my legs to the point where the sheets were no longer on the bed.”

As well as a disturbed sleep, other symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• daytime sleepiness
• loud snoring
• morning headaches
• recent weight gain
• a feeling of unrest upon waking up
• limited attention
• memory loss
• poor judgment
• lethargy
• edema (abnormal tissue swelling)
• high blood pressure

Older, obese men are at a higher risk for sleep apnea but as many as 40 percent of people with obstructive sleep apnea are not obese. Nasal obstruction, a large tongue, a narrow airway, and large neck are all common causes of obstructive sleep apnea.