Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes a person to stop breathing for short periods during sleep. These pauses can occur multiple times throughout the night, disrupting sleep patterns and leading to fatigue, loud snoring, and other symptoms.

There are three main types of sleep apnea:

1. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The most common type, caused by a blockage of the airway, usually by the tongue or other soft tissue.
2. Central sleep apnea (CSA): A less common type, caused by a failure of the brain to send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
3. Mixed sleep apnea: A combination of OSA and CSA.

Symptoms of sleep apnea include:

- Loud snoring
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Morning headaches
- Insomnia or daytime fatigue
- Attention problems or memory loss

If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health complications, such as:

- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Depression

Treatment options for sleep apnea include:

- Lifestyle changes (weight loss, smoking cessation, etc.)
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy
- Oral appliances or mouthpieces
- Surgery

It's essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment if you suspect you or a loved one has sleep apnea