Sleep disorders are a growing problem in this country. While many people joke about how little sleep they get, the fact is that lack of sleep, or lack of restful sleep , poses a danger not just to them, but to everyone around them. The earliest symptoms of sleep disorders such as sleep apnea are general fatigue and trouble concentrating. Over time these can grow to include irritability, aggression, diminished motor control, and memory problems.

Those who suffer from sleep apnea may find their immune systems weakening over time. In fact, sleep apnea can cause severe problems as it results from interrupted breathing — patients literally stop breathing throughout the night, sometimes for a second, sometimes for much longer. This is why the most common treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure, otherwise known as CPAP.

CPAP equipment is prescribed by a doctor after a clinical diagnosis, usually involving a sleep study. The machine provides a continuous flow of air while the patient sleeps, the exact opposite of what they experience without the machine. Most patients report a nearly instant improvement not just in ability to sleep, but in the quality of sleep experienced. For many, they achieve restful sleep for the first time in their lives.