Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder. If you have sleep apnea, your breathing stops for several seconds at a time, followed by snorting, gasping, or choking for air. This can affect your sleep quality and make you very tired during the day, even if you get plenty of sleep.
In this video, learn the symptoms of sleep apnea, how doctors diagnose it, and the most common treatments.
References
American Thoracic Society. (2024). What is obstructive sleep apnea in adults?
MedlinePlus. (2021). Central sleep apnea.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2022). What is sleep apnea?
Slowik, J. M., et al. (2025). Obstructive sleep apnea. StatPearls.
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Written by:
Lauren Smith, MALauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Reviewed by:
Karen Hovav, MD, FAAPKaren Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.
