https://www.123articleonline.com/rss/author/296525/mariya-cruzArticles written by mariya cruz from 123ArticleOnline.comen-usCopyright (c) 123ArticleOnline.com All rights reserved. https://www.123articleonline.com/articles/1214483/what-is-obstructive-sleep-apnea Obstructive sleep apnea is a respiratory disorder that is found in both children and adults. Those who exhibit it, experience either complete or partial collapse of the upper airway during sleep. This makes it hard to breathe, and can be very disruptive to a full night's sleep, in addition to disturbing your bed partner. It's analogous to breathing through a straw. When you're awake it is not so difficult as you are aware and you can increase your breathing rate, however at night you do not have this same compensatory mechanism, so it wakes you up. Obstructive sleep apnea most frequently affects older men3, but can also affect women and children as well.