Do you have troubles staying asleep at night? Do you often wake up in the middle of the night and feel like you haven't taken a breath for awhile or are choking? How about during the day? Are you often tired and/or lackluster? Well, you're not alone. There are over 15 million Americans who suffer from a sleep disorder called sleep apnea.

There are two forms of sleep apnea, called Central Sleep Apnea or Obstructive Sleep Apnea. People with Central Sleep Apnea have a problem in which the brain forgets to tell them to breathe. Most people don't have this kind of sleep apnea; it happens most often to people who have had a stroke or who have heart failure.

Most of the time, people have Obstructive Sleep Apnea, which happens as a result of the throat becoming blocked while they sleep. When people sleep on their backs, the throat muscle relaxes and may result in a narrowed or blocked airway.

As you get more relaxed and into sleep mode; breathing through your mouth OR nose, the airway can narrow more, or completely close. This either cuts your breath short, or wakes you up gasping for air. Sometimes though, you will only partially wake up, in which case you will start breathing normally again. If you haven't waken up long enough to take a few good breaths, you will soon be relaxed again and the process will start all over again. This can happen several times throughout the night.

Sleep Apnea Treatments: Usually, your doctor will diagnose you with sleep apnea after several tests in which you spend a night at a hospital trying to sleep. The type of treatment your doctor will prescribe depends on how severely your airway is blocked and if you quit breathing completely while you are sleeping.

The most common treatment is a CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, machine. You will wear a small mask that fits securely over your nose and mouth and provides a continuous airflow into your airway. Your airway won't close, but you will be able to relax. Some other dental devices are also available that are less invasive than a CPAP machine.

Before you take these steps, however, try selecting a pillow that is designed specifically for snorers or persons with sleep apnea. Simply changing the position in which you sleep can make a huge difference! Additionally, stop taking any sleeping pills, because these can relax your throat muscles and make your symptoms even worse.