Sleep apnea, a serious sleeping disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts, increases the risk for heart attack, hypertension and stroke if it is not treated.

Patients with sleep apnea feel tired when they wake up or want to sleep more during the day. They also suffer from headache, frequently need to urinate and dry mouth. Otorhinolaryngologist - also known as an ear, nose and throat (ENT) physician - Dr. Mehmet Ali Babademez said patients with sleep apnea face a higher risk of being involved in a traffic accident as they have difficulty concentrating.

Sleep apnea is generally seen in patients over 65. "These patients must be treated regularly, and the disease can be diagnosed through a sleep test," Associate Professor Gökhan Yalçıner said. A sleep test can identify the level of sleep apnea and its causes. "The patient stays overnight at the hospital and we analyze brain waves as well as oxygen level, heart rhythm along with eye and leg movements," he added.