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.

Two different types of sleep apnea exist; these are Central Sleep Apnea and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. People who have Central Sleep Apnea have a condition in which the brain fails to tell the body to breathe. This happens in the Central Nervous System. This type of sleep apnea doesn't happen to most people; it's more common in people with heart failure or those who have had a stroke.

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 relax and become sleepier, breathing through either your mouth or nose, you sometimes experience a narrowed or closed airway. Then you either struggle to catch your breath or wake up gasping. If you don't wake up enough to breathe deeply several times, your throat will begin to relax again, and you will repeat this cycle. You may repeat it 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.

Many people are prescribed a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. This machine has a fitted mask that covers your mouth and nose and delivers a continuous flow of air to your system. This prevents the airways from closing, but still allows you to relax. There are also dental devices that can be used, which are a little less intrusive then the 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.