Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. People with obstructive sleep apnea repeatedly stop and start breathing while they sleep. These breath pauses are known as apneas. There are several types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat ... Definition/Description Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing is interrupted or paused during sleep. The pauses in breathing can last a few seconds to minutes and are long enough to: Disrupt sleep Decrease level of oxygen in the blood Increase level of carbon dioxide in the blood These breathing interruptions can occur more than 30 times an hour and significantly impair the quality of sleep. Because of this, sleep apnea is a leading cause of excessive daytime sleepiness. [1] There are ... Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes breathing pauses or shallow breathing during sleep, leading to poor ventilation and sleep disruption. It can be obstructive, central, or mixed, and is associated with various health complications and risk factors. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated obstruction to the airway during sleep. After a person with OSA falls asleep, their airway intermittently narrows or collapses , causing fragmented sleep and contributing to severe health consequences if left untreated.
