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A Pill for Sleep Apnea Could Be on the Horizon

nytimes.com · last updated

Tens of millions of people in the United States struggle with obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that occurs when the throat muscles narrow during sleep, leading to temporary pauses in breathing that can cause people to snore and jolt awake, gasping for air.

Poor sleep can leave people feeling exhausted, irritable and unfocused during the day. And if left untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk for serious conditions like high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, heart attack and stroke.