Sleep Apnea

Also known as:  Sleep Apnoea;  Sleep Disordered Breathing;  SDB

Sleep Apnea is a Respiratory System Ailment characterized by brief cessations of breathing during Sleep.  Cessation of breathing occurs for at least 10 seconds (usually 20 - 30 seconds but rarely for more than 2 minutes).

In a given night, the number of involuntary breathing pauses or “apneic events” may be as high as 20 to 60 or more per hour.  These breathing pauses are almost always accompanied by Snoring between apnea episodes (although not all persons who snore have Sleep Apnea).

The reduction in Oxygen and increase in Carbon Dioxide that occur during breathing cessations alert the Brain to resume breathing and cause an “arousal.  With each “arousal”, a signal is sent from the Brain to the upper airway muscles to open the airway.  This causes breathing to resume, often with a loud snort or gasp.  Frequent arousals, although necessary for breathing to recommence, prevent Sleep Apnea patients from receiving sufficient Deep Sleep.