Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax and block your airway, often causing snoring. The most common cause of both types of sleep apnea is being overweight or obese. Other causes of obstructive sleep apnea include hypothyroidism, excessive production of growth hormone, a deviated septum and allergies.

Central sleep apnea is a condition that is a lot less common than obstructive sleep apnea. It occurs because your brain doesn't send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

The most common cause of both types of sleep apnea is being overweight or obese.

If you have sleep apnea, you're much more likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes, a heart attack, stroke or an irregular heart beat.

Sleep apnea treatment options include weight loss, a CPAP machine, a dental device and surgery.