Sleep apnea, respiratory condition characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. The word apnea is derived from the Greek apnoia, meaning “without breath.” There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, which is the most common form and involves the collapse of tissues of the upper airway; Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night's sleep, you might have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea encompasses central sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, or a mix of the two. Both disorders interfere with sleep quality. Individuals with obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form of sleep apnea, have repetitive episodes of complete (apnea) or partial (hypopnea) obstructions of their upper airway during sleep. The obstructions are caused by upper airway narrowing and often last between 10 and 30 seconds. In central sleep apnea pauses to breathing from 10 to 30 seconds are ... Sleep apnea is a condition that makes you stop breathing while you’re sleeping, either because of airway blockage or brain control problems. It can cause serious complications, such as heart damage, arrhythmias and daytime sleepiness. Learn how to diagnose and treat sleep apnea with Cleveland Clinic.
