There are two kinds of sleep apnea, Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Central Sleep Apnea. Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs when the throat and soft palate of an individual collapses down and restricts airflow. This is a common occurrence in people who snore loudly. This restriction of airflow causes the individual to stop breathing many times throughout the night. 
Sleep apnea inhibits the individual from reaching the deep restorative stages of sleep which contributes to excessive daytime sleepiness, this puts an individual at risk for developing Narcolepsy. One could imagine how dangerous this could be while driving or operating machinery. 

Risk factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea include; having a large tongue and/or tonsils, a deviated septum, weight gain, smoking and drinking. All of these factors can contribute to the collapsing of the upper airways of the throat which may ultimately stop respiration for a period of time. Central Sleep Apnea is less common and occurs when the brain temporarily stops sending signals to the respiratory system. Mixed Apneas also occur, which is a combination of both Obstructive and Central Sleep Apnea. Both are detrimental to the mind and body because it causes significant lowering of the blood oxygen levels, this causes strain on the heart and brain. Sleep Apnea does put an individual at significant risk for heart failure. It is estimated Sleep Apnea is the number one cause of nightime heart attacks. 

Both types of sleep apnea can manifest severe health problems. The most common symptoms and signs are; 
excessive daytime sleepiness (also known as hypersomnia), highblood pressure and headaches. Some individuals report dreams of choking or drowning. This is due their cessation of breath during sleep, which transfers into the individual's dream state. In severe cases the person will awaken during the night gasping for air. 

Thankfully, there are treatment options available that have been proven to be successful. The first step is to have a sleep study done at a sleep center. The sleep specialist can then determine how severe a person's sleep apnea is and if they suffer from any other sleep disorders. The most common treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea is to have the patient wear a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure mask (CPAP). The mask may either exert continous air pressure through the nasal cavity, or the mouth. It depends on which is most comfortable for the patient. Many people report greatly improved sleep during CPAP therapy. Other options include surgery to correct a deviated septum to open nasal passages, or a tonsillectomy to remove large tonsils. 
Be sure to inform your family doctor if you or your family notice any of the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea.