Joe Biden recently began using a CPAP machine to treat sleep apnea, the White House announced on Wednesday, after observers noticed mask marks on the president’s face. “Since 2008, the president has disclosed his history with sleep apnea in thorough medical reports. He used a CPAP machine last night, which is common for people with that history,” White House spokesman Andrew Bates said, CNN reports. Here’s what you need to know about the president’s diagnosis, and how he is treating his sleep apnea. What is sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a common condition in which one’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is commonly caused by the relaxation of throat muscles, blocking the flow of air. Less frequently, sleep apnea is the result of the brain not sending the proper signals to the respiratory system. Symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, episodes of breathing stopping during sleep, and gasping for air. Those with high weight, large neck circumference, and a family history of the condition are considered at greater risk of getting sleep apnea. Men are two to three times more likely to have sleep apnea. About 30 million people in the US have the condition, though far fewer, roughly six million, are diagnosed as such, according to the American Medical Association. Sleep apnea can contribute to fatigue, circulatory issues, and diabetes in those who have it. What is a CPAP machine? CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure machine, and the device is one of the most common treatments for sleep apnea, according to the Cleveland Clinic. CPAP machines help keep a patient’s airways open by delivering air through tubes into a mask that’s worn during sleep. How long has President Biden had sleep apnea? Mr Biden first disclosed that he had experienced sleep apnea in 2008 medical disclosures, though more recent medical evaluations have not listed it as a cause for serious concern. A 2019 evaluation disclosed that Mr Biden’s sleep apnea had “has been considered, but his symptoms have improved significantly” following sinus and nasal passage surgeries, according to CNN. A White House physical two years later listed Mr Biden’s throat clearing and coughing during speeches as areas of “observation.” His most recent such evaluation didn’t mention sleep apnea. As The Independent has reported, Mr Biden at age 80 is the oldest president in US history. His health condition, and that of other senior US politicians, has alarmed some observers. Read More White House reveals Biden uses CPAP machine for sleep apnea after president seen with marks on his face Parents awarded $15m after son with dwarfism dies in Boston hospital sleep study Should I see a doctor about my bad sleep? Dennis Rodman responds to critics after he wore skirt to Pride parade Dwyane Wade recalls daughter Zaya being ‘scared’ and hiding from him after coming out Chrissy Teigen and John Legend welcome fourth child via surrogate: ‘Our new love’

A jury verdict that found power company PacifiCorp liable for devastating wildfires in Oregon in 2020 is highlighting the legal and financial risks utilities face if they fail to take proper precautions for climate change

Sitting on top of a yellow jerry can of fuel, Jeannine waits for customers on a sidewalk in Benin's economic capital Cotonou...

Americans across the country are observing the relatively new Juneteenth federal holiday with festivals, parades, cookouts and other gatherings

By Klaus Lauer BERLIN German media group ProSiebenSat.1 is preparing to cut significantly more staff than in previous

Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes could be facing months on the sidelines as he awaits a specialist’s verdict on the foot injury he suffered at Sheffield United. The 25-year-old limped out of Sunday’s 8-0 Premier League demolition job at Bramall Lane after just 12 minutes, and head coach Eddie Howe fears he could miss a significant proportion of the campaign with surgery a possibility. Asked if Barnes could be out for some time, Howe said: “Yes, we’re fearing it’s going to be. It’s difficult. I don’t want to put a time on it until we get confirmation from the specialist, but I think it will be months rather than weeks.” The England international, who joined the Magpies in a £38million summer switch from Leicester, suffered his injury as he pushed off to run in South Yorkshire and has since undergone a scan. Howe said: “It’s an injury to a part of the foot just below the toe. I think it’s quite a substantial injury. We’ve had it scanned, we’re waiting now for a specialist’s opinion on what to do next, whether there’s surgery involved or not. “I don’t think it was a tackle, I think it was just pushing off to run, a very unusual injury. I won’t go too technical because I’m not medically qualified to do so, but yes, very unusual.” Any extended absence would come as a blow to both a player who is desperate to establish himself on Tyneside – Sunday’s game was just his second start for his new club – and his employers, who invested heavily in his services during their latest spending spree as they prepared for a season which includes Champions League football for the first time in two decades. Whatever the injury is, we’ll support him and we know he’s a top quality player and he still has a massive part to play Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe Howe said: “He was down after the game because he knew it wasn’t a normal injury where you feel a muscle and think that might be one or two weeks. “This was a slightly more complex issue, and I think he probably feared the worst because there was no one around him and it was one of those mechanisms where he knew it wasn’t quite right. “There’s no doubt he’ll be disappointed because he was very keen to show his value and worth and Sunday was an opportunity to do that. But whatever the injury is, we’ll support him and we know he’s a top quality player and he still has a massive part to play.” The disappointing news on Barnes’ injury came as Newcastle turned their attention from a remarkable afternoon against the Blades to the task of finding a way past Treble-winners Manchester City in the Carabao Cup, the only honour Pep Guardiola’s men did not lift during the last campaign. The third round draw could hardly have handed the Magpies, who lost to Manchester United in last-season’s final, a more difficult task despite Guardiola hinting he could make wholesale changes with injuries biting hard into his squad. However Howe, who is himself without the injured Joe Willock and Joelinton as well as Barnes, is refusing to be taken in by the Spaniard. He said: “Pep is a manager who has won so much and he hasn’t done that without giving everything to every moment to try and achieve that success. I’ve no doubt we will see the best Manchester City tomorrow.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Jermaine Jenas apologises after referee rant sparks backlash: ‘I got it wrong’ On this day in 2021: Lewis Hamilton celebrates 100th race win in Formula One Philadelphia Eagles turn up the Hurts on Tampa Bay to remain unbeaten

The Apple Vision Pro looks like it could be a truly revolutionary AR/VR headset that

Debt-ceiling talks between White House and congressional aides are set to intensify as negotiators seek a framework agreement

From Ustream start to YouTube shift in 2013, 'The Joe Rogan Experience' podcast now thrives with over 15 million subscribers

Parts of the U.S. are continuing to sizzle as July creeps toward setting a record for the hottest month ever recorded

We can't help you fulfill your ambitious New Year's resolution of reading a book every week. We can, however, help you give that ever-growing pile of (potentially unread) literature a chic, spacious, and affordable living space — aka, a best-selling, under-$100 bookcase.

U.S. President Joe Biden and 2024 Republican front-runner and former President Donald Trump both travel to Michigan this