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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. You may have sleep apnea if you snore loudly and you feel tired even after a full night's sleep.

Sleep apnea occurs in two main types:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax
  • Central sleep apnea, which occurs when your brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing

Additionally, some people have complex sleep apnea, which is a combination of both.

If you think you might have sleep apnea, see your doctor. Treatment is necessary to avoid heart problems and other complications.

Symptoms
References
  1. What is sleep apnea? National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/sleep_apnea/sleep_apnea.htm. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  2. What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_Signs.html. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  3. Kline LR. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  4. What is sleep apnea? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_WhatIs.html. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  5. Badr MS. Central sleep apnea syndrome: Risk factors, clinical presentation, and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 13, 2010.
  6. Who is at risk for sleep apnea? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_WhoIsAtRisk.html. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  7. Feinsilver SH. Sleep apnea in the elderly. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  8. Ropper AH, et al. Sleep and its abnormalities: Introduction. In: Ropper AH, et al. Adams and Victor's Neurology. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3633173. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  9. Culebras A. Sleep related breathing disorders and stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  10. Punjabi NM, et al. Sleep-disordered breathing and mortality: A prospective cohort study. PLoS Medicine. 2009;6:e1000132. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2722083/pdf/pmed.1000132.pdf. Accessed March 31, 2010.
  11. In brief: Your guide to healthy sleep. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/healthy_sleep.pdf. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  12. 12. Brain basics: Understanding sleep. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  13. Treatment options for adults with obstructive sleep apnea. American Sleep Apnea Association. http://www.sleepapnea.org/resources/pubs/treatment.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  14. Suzuki M, et al. Arousals in obstructive sleep apnea patients with laryngopharyngeal and gastroesophageal reflux. Sleep Medicine. 2010;11:e356-360. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6W6N-4YK8MJY-2&_user=130561&_coverDate=04%2F30%2F2010&_rdoc=8&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%236603%232010%23999889995%231805742%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=6603&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=23&_acct=C000010878&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=130561&md5=72b6fee84cfca855367469db358343a5. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  15. Understanding sleep apnea: Know all of the facts. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.sleepeducation.com/ArticlePrinterFriendly.aspx?id=21&DType=0. Accessed April 10, 2010.
  16. How is sleep apnea treated? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_Treatments.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  17. Kryger MH. Management of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  18. Considering surgery for OSA? American Sleep Apnea Association. http://www.sleepapnea.org/resources/pubs/osa.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  19. Badr MS. Central sleep apnea syndrome: Treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  20. Freire AO, et al. Treatment of moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with acupuncture: A randomised, placebo-controlled pilot trial. Sleep Medicine. 2007;8:43.
  21. Collop N. Portable monitoring in obstructive sleep apnea in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  22. Redolfi S, et al. Relationship between overnight rostral fluid shift and obstructive sleep apnea in nonobese men. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2009;179:241.
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DS00148 June 29, 2010

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