Can you imagine choking over 100 times a night while you sleep? If you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), this may actually be your reality! According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, up to 25 million adults in the United States suffer from OSA, and that number may actually be low, since many people don’t even know they have the condition.

In this condition, a person’s airway becomes obstructed while they sleep. This obstructed airway causes the person to stop breathing or to breathe shallowly for anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes at a time! The result is that the person never enjoys deep, healthy REM sleep.

An obstructed airway – even one only partially blocked, as in snoring -- can cause chronic fatigue as well as a range of health issues. If you worry that you suffer from sleep apnea or an obstructed airway while you sleep, talk to your doctor. There are a range of options for easing and treating your symptoms, including a custom-made oral appliance your dentist can make for you.