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Sleep Apnea Reviewed 07-01-2001 Get Web page suited for printing Email this to a friend or colleague Studies with patients Table of Contents (click to jump to sections) What is Sleep Apnea?Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? Organizations Related NINDS Publications and Information What is Sleep Apnea? Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which breathing stops during sleep for 10 seconds or more, sometimes more than 300 times a night. The hallmark of the disorder is excessive daytime sleepiness and compromised quality of life, including significant social and emotional problems. There are two main types of sleep apnea. “Obstructive sleep apnea” may represent cessation of breathing due to mechanical blockage of the airway; “central sleep apnea” appears to be related to a malfunction of the brain’s normal signal to breathe. Symptoms of sleep apnea may include restless sleep, loud, heavy snoring (often interrupted by silence and then gasps), falling asleep while driving and/or during the day (at work, watching TV, etc.), morning headaches, loss of energy, trouble concentrating, irritability, forgetfulness, mood or behavior changes, anxiety or depression, obesity, and decreased interest in sex. Not all people with sleep apnea experience all of these symptoms and not everyone who has these symptoms has sleep apnea. However, it is recommended that people who are experiencing even a few of these symptoms visit their physician for evaluation. Prompt and proper diagnosis of sleep apnea is an important first step to treating the disorder. Problems associated with untreated sleep apnea include hypertension, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, psychiatric problems, impotence, cognitive dysfunction, memory loss, and death. Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? American Sleep Apnea Association
National Sleep Foundation
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHBLI)
National Institute on Aging (NIA) Related NINDS Publications and Information
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