According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, sleep apnea is a chronic condition in which an individual stops breathing for a few seconds up to minutes during sleep once or more per night. It is estimated by the National Sleep Foundation that more than 18 million adults suffer from this disorder, but a significant portion of these are not aware that they have it. By not treating sleep apnea, you may be submitting yourself to a multitude of other health problems. Apart from subjecting yourself to obesity and heart problems by letting this condition go untreated, researchers are now finding a link between sleep apnea the 7th leading cause of death in the United States to the list: diabetes. Studies report that nearly 71% of those who suffer from type-2 diabetes may also suffer from sleep apnea. This percentage is significant compared to the general population that of which only 4-10% are diagnosed with diabetes. Unfortunately, there is no cure for diabetes, but it is treatable and preventable. It is suggested that those who suffer from type-2 diabetes get tested for sleep apnea. It’s important to catch it early on to prevent further complications. For those who suspect they may have sleep apnea, it’s also important to get tested right away and follow through with treatment in order to prevent the possibility of developing these supplemental diseases and worsen your condition. When it comes to sleep apnea, prevention is the best medicine.