An estimated 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. This disease may increase your blood pressure and reduce the flow of oxygen to your brain. Studies have shown that people with this potentially life-threatening illness are very tired when driving, and their performance is similar to that of drunk drivers. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to impaired daytime function, high blood pressure, heart failure, and possible stroke. Although snoring and sleep apnea are related diseases, not all snorers suffer from sleep apnea, and not all patients with sleep apnea suffer from snoring.
