Sleep apnoea
Sleep apnoea (pronounced: /ˈæpniə/; from Greek apnoia, "want of breath") is a medical condition where the affected person's breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This condition can be categorized into three types: Obstructive sleep apnoea, Central sleep apnoea, and Complex sleep apnoea syndrome.
Definition
Sleep apnoea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person's breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnoea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times. This means the brain -- and the rest of the body -- may not get enough oxygen.
Types
There are three types of sleep apnoea: Obstructive, Central, and Complex.
- Obstructive sleep apnoea is the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax.
- Central sleep apnoea occurs when your brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
- Complex sleep apnoea syndrome, also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnoea, occurs when someone has both obstructive sleep apnoea and central sleep apnoea.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of sleep apnoea include loud snoring, episodes of breathing cessation during sleep witnessed by another person, abrupt awakenings accompanied by shortness of breath, dry mouth or sore throat upon awakening, and difficulty staying asleep.
Causes
Sleep apnoea can be caused by several factors, including obesity, large tonsils, endocrine disorders, neuromuscular disorders, heart or kidney failure, certain genetic syndromes, and premature birth.
Treatment
Treatment for sleep apnoea can include lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. If these measures don't improve the signs and symptoms or if apnoea is severe, a number of other treatments are available. Certain devices can help open up a blocked airway. In other cases, surgery may be necessary.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Sleep apnoea
- Wikipedia's article - Sleep apnoea
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