Sleep apnea happens when upper airway muscles relax during sleep and pinch off the airway which prevents you from getting enough air. There may be a choking or snorting sound as breathing resumes. What Happens During Sleep Apnea Severe Apnea Is 40 Or More Do you often wake up in the middle of the night feeling out of breath. How bad is sleep apnea . The main types of sleep apnea are. Each pause can last for a few seconds to a few minutes and they happen many times a night. Obstructive sleep apnea the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax. On the surface the list of most common moderate sleep apnea symptoms doesn t look much different than the list of symptoms for mild sleep apnea or even severe sleep apnea. At the clinic you may be given devices that check things like your breathing and heartbeat while you sleep. Getting tested for sleep apnoea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a bothersome and potentially worrying condition. Distinguishing sleep apnea ...