In Control: Tell Sleep Apnea to Take a Hike

You might not know it, but you could have sleep apnea. One study found that nearly nine out of 10 people with type 2 diabetes and obesity also have obstructive sleep apnea that has never been diagnosed.

Breathing Problems During Sleep

Sleep apnea means that during sleep your breathing becomes shallow or stops briefly. Then, within a few seconds to minutes, you usually breathe normally again. You might snort, choke, or gasp for air as you go back to breathing normally. These spells may repeat many times each hour.

In obstructive sleep apnea, shallow breathing or a pause in breathing happens because tissue narrows or blocks part of your airway -- your nose, mouth, throat, and windpipe. For instance, your tongue or tonsils might clog your airway; your airway might close up when your throat muscles relax; or extra fat around your windpipe might make the space inside it smaller.

Effects of Apnea on Health

Most people with sleep apnea don't know they have a problem because they are asleep when it happens. A family member may be the first to point out the signs. People with sleep apnea may snore loudly and may feel sleepy during the day because their nighttime sleep is disrupted. Without treatment, sleep apnea raises your risk for high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. It also raises the risk for obesity in people who aren't already obese.