Sleep apnea is a life threatening disease if not treated well in time. Millions of people the world over are feared afflicted by the condition and the majority of them are not even aware of their plight. As per one estimate, sleep apnea is affecting more than 20 million people in USA alone and the condition has taken an epidemic proportion. Sleep apnea masks are one way to control the apnea condition and are prescribed by doctors the world over.
Sleep apnea (apnea: Greek for “without breath”) is a sleeping disorder where a subject frequently stops breathing during sleep. Because the subject is unaware of these breathless episodes and because waking, symptoms are vague: daytime grogginess, headache, and dry throat, the subject rarely feels the need to check with a physician. Family and friends are who usually report the problem. Sleep apnea’s outward symptom is loud and excessive snoring. Though the symptoms are indistinct, the consequences of undiagnosed sleep apnea can be life-threatening hypertension and cardiovascular disease. To diagnose the disorder requires a sleep apnea test.