It's Sleep Apnea Awareness Month, and specialist Dr. Evan Temkin stopped by Cheddar News to talk about what the condition is and who is most at risk.
"Sleep apnea is actually a constriction of the airway during sleep, where breathing is interrupted," he said. "Pretty much everybody is at risk."
It affects about 50 percent of the population, he added.
Temkin stressed the importance of getting tested and treated as soon as possible, as prolonged sleep apnea has "cardiac implications."
"When you're not getting enough oxygen to the vital organs, your heart is going to start pumping harder," he said, which taxes the muscle layers in the heart.
The most common treatment for sleep apnea is the use of a CPAP machine, which fits over the nose and mouth to ensure adequate airflow while sleeping, but Temkin noted that it's not the only option.
"One of the big problems with CPAP is compliance," he said. "It's uncomfortable."
One alternative is what's called an "oral appliance," which treats sleep apnea by stabilizing the lower jaw and positioning it a few millimeters forward. This can, in many cases, open up the airway, making it easier for people to breathe freely.
Of course, those experiencing symptoms should see a specialist to see which method is best.
Officials warned residents and tourists packing Mediterranean destinations on Tuesday to stay indoors during the hottest hours as the second heat wave in as many weeks hits the region and Greece, Spain and Switzerland battled wildfires.
While the East Coast grappled with the aftermath of downpours that closed roads and rendered the water supply undrinkable in places, the West and other parts of the country contended with sizzling temperatures and unsafe air quality attributed to Canadian wildfires.
U.S. officials on Monday approved the first long-acting drug to protect babies and toddlers against a respiratory virus that sends tens of thousands of American children to the hospital each year.
