| [ Summary ] |
Sleep apnea is defined as complete cessation of breathing during sleep for more than ten seconds and classified into obstructive, central and mixed types. Sleep apnea syndrome is defined as a potentially lethal condition characterized by multiple obstructive or mixed apneas during sleep associated with repetitive episodes of inordinately loud snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness. A frequently quoted publication defines sleep apnea syndrome as the presence of 30 or more episodes of apnea per 7 hour sleep period or more than 5 episodes per an hour sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by a discoordination of diaphragm and upper airway muscle control and obesity, while central sleep apnea by absent ventilatory drive and unstable respiratory drive. |