What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a serious and potentially dangerous sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops or becomes abnormally shallow during sleep. These breathing interruptions, known as apneas or hypopneas, can occur dozens of times per hour and prevent the body from receiving adequate oxygen. Each episode briefly wakes the brain, disrupting the natural sleep cycle—even if the person is not consciously aware of it.
Over time, this leads to poor sleep quality, excessive daytime fatigue, and increased strain on the heart, brain, and other vital organs. At El Paso Sleep Center, sleep apnea is diagnosed through comprehensive sleep evaluations, including overnight sleep studies (polysomnography) or home sleep apnea testing when appropriate.
Sleep Health Insights
