Sleep Apnea is a potentially serious disorder where breathing pauses repeatedly or gets very shallow while asleep. These can last from seconds to minutes, preventing the body from getting enough oxygen. As a result, people with sleep apnea will briefly awaken, making snoring, snorting, gasping or choking sounds as they struggle to breath. Though they will remain unaware of this once they actually wake up, whoever they share a bed or a room with might notice before they do.