Sleep is a fundamental pillar of health, but for millions of Americans, a good night's rest is interrupted by a serious medical condition: sleep apnea. If you live in or around Encino and suspect you might have this disorder, finding a qualified specialist is the first step toward better health and a more restful life. What is Sleep Apnea? Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses, which can last from a few seconds to a minute or more, are often accompanied by loud snoring, gasping, or choking sounds. The most common type is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), where the throat muscles relax, causing the airway to narrow or close. This blockage briefly starves the body of oxygen, triggering the brain to rouse you just enough to resume breathing. While these awakenings are often so brief you don't remember them, they disrupt the sleep cycle, preventing you from reaching the deep, restorative stages of sleep. Untreated sleep ap...