Sleep apnea affects some 18 million people. About one in 10 adults reported experiencing pauses in breathing during sleep. Snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea. About 59% of adults said they snore, according to NSF's 2005 Sleep in America poll; about one fourth of those who snore do so every night or almost every night. Untreated sleep pnea may cause 3.4 billion in additional medical costs.
People with untreated sleep apnea are two to three times more likely to have automobile accidents than the general population.