It’s often been said that milk does the body good, but sleep does the body even better.

Sleep is perhaps one of the most necessary and vital biological processes for humans. In fact, the body can only go 11 days without sleep. So what happens if you don’t sleep? Your body literally begins to shut down, both mentally and physically. You know that groggy, disoriented, and overall bad feeling you have after not getting a goodnight’s rest? That’s what sleep sufferers face on an almost daily basis.

Sleep apnea is considered a dangerous condition in which sufferers experience periods or episodes where their breathing stops during their sleep. These periods, known as apneas, can least anywhere from a second to several minutes, and can occur up to 60 times in a single hour in severe cases. Sleep apnea is extremely common, and is said to affect nearly 18 million Americans.

While sleep apnea causes may vary from person to person, one thing remains clear; it comes with serious risks. If left untreated, sleep apnea sufferers face much higher risks of heart disease and stroke, in addition to inability to concentrate, fatigue, and more.

Luckily, there are a number of effective sleep apnea treatments that are specifically designed to keep the user’s airways open while sleeping. BIPAP machines and CPAP machines, in addition to nasal pillows, are just a few of the most common sleep apnea treatments. Both BIPAP and CPAP machines are connected to masks that are fitted over the user’s face, whereas nasal pillows fit only over the nose.

Many sleep apnea sufferers find BIPAP and CPAP masks to be too restrictive, and some even experience claustrophobia. However, both BIPAP and CPAP masks can be adjusted or programmed to meet the user’s comfort level. It’s recommended for sleep apnea sufferers to wear their devices at least 4 hours every night over a 30 day period for best results.