2. Short and irregular pauses in breathing while sleeping. Sleep apnea is fairly common but still can be really dangerous, it affects 4% of men and 2% of women*. The pauses are called apnea events and can last for 10 to 30 seconds and can happen 5 to 30 times in an hour. This can cause loud snoring, snorting or choking sounds. * Risks increase with obesity to about 1 in 10

3. - Your throat and tongue relax more than normal - Tongue and tonsil are large compared to the opening into your windpipe - Overweight, the extra tissue can thicken the wall of the windpipe - The shape of your head or neck may cause a smaller airway size - Brain signals are limited and don’t tell your body to keep the throat stiff during sleep

4. Anyone can get sleep Apnea especially if: - You are obese - Family history of Sleep Apnea - Have a large thick neck (larger than 17 inches for men; larger than 16 inches for women). - Age over 40 - Male - Large tonsils - You have a recessed chin (your chin tucks in) - Children are at higher risk of sleep apnea if they have large adenoids and tonsils

5. The two main symptoms are: You’re very sleepy and fatigued during the day, but you don’t know why. You snore and have pauses in your breathing while sleeping. Other signs and symptoms : -high blood pressure -You’re irritable - Gasping or choking during sleep - Depression - Lack of or less concentration - Morning headaches - Memory problems or/and memory loss

6. Untreated sleep apnea can: -increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity and diabetes -worsen the heart -make irregular heartbeats more likely -increase work related accidents Only about 10% of the people with sleep apnea are currently receiving treatment. Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that requires long term management. Mouthpieces, surgery and breathing devices can treat sleep apnea in most people.

7. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sleepapnea/ http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/apnea-apnee/what- quoi/index_e.php http://www.cpapmachinescanada.com/sleep-apnea.php