Sleep apnea is a condition when you temporarily stop breathing while you're sleeping or the breaths that you take are shallow. The temporary breathing can last from a few seconds and go on for a few minutes. These breathing interruptions can happen so many times an hour, even more than 30 times within that 60 minute time span.

Afterwards, you would breathe normal again. It may be accompanied by loud snorting or choking. This condition can interrupt you from getting a good night's sleep. It causes you not to get as much sleep as you need to. Sleep apnea causes you to be tired and sleepy during the day.