Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing when person's breathing is interrupted during sleep. When the upper airway becomes blocked repeatedly during sleep, reducing or completely stopping airflow the result is this condition.
Sleep apnea is especially common in older males. The reason is because sleep apnea is caused by increased fatty deposits in the parapharyngeal area (areas in the head and neck), lengthening of the soft palate, and changes in body structures surrounding the pharynx.