Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. These pauses can last for a few seconds to minutes and may occur many times throughout the night. People with sleep apnea often experience loud snoring and may feel excessively tired during the day due to disrupted sleep. There are different types of sleep apnea, including obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when throat muscles relax excessively, and central sleep apnea, which happens when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Treatment options vary and may include lifestyle changes, the use of a CPAP machine, or surgery in severe cases.