Technological advances in medicine have revolutionized the medical and pharmaceutical industries. Now, more than ever, physicians are able to diagnose and treat a variety of chronic conditions better than ever before. In addition, medical professionals are now are able to determine the root causes for many illnesses that once baffled doctors in previous generations.

However, despite the number of advances that have been made, some conditions still remain a somewhat of a mystery, and sleep apnea is one of them.

This potentially deadly condition affects upwards of 18 million Americans, however, sleep apnea causes can be difficult to pin down. While the exact causes of sleep apnea remain relatively unknown, medical professionals and sleep specialists have been able to determine certain risk factors that increase the likelihood of a person developing sleep apnea.

For example, carry excess weight is perhaps one of the most common sleep apnea causes, followed by smoking tobacco. In addition, certain physical attributes such as having a deviated septum, receding chin, or enlarged tonsils have been known to increase the likelihood of one developing sleep apnea. However, anyone regardless of their health condition can develop sleep apnea.

Though undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea sufferers are more likely to develop health dangerous health complications as a result of their condition, sleep apnea is treatable. Many sleep apnea sufferers can still enjoy a high quality of life with treatment. BIPAP machines and CPAP machines are both widely popular and highly effective sleep apnea treatments. The machines are fitted with a mask that is worn over the user’s nose and mouth, providing a continuous supply of air.

Sleep apnea sufferers often wake choking or gasping for air after prolonged apneas, or pauses in breathing, and treatments such as BIPAP and CPAP masks prevent apneas from occurring. This allows the user to enjoy a peaceful and restful night sleep, and reduces the chances of developing severe complications as a result of going untreated.