Sleep Apnea
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What is Sleep Apnea?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Organizations
Related NINDS Publications and Information
Additional resources from MEDLINEplus
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. These episodes usually
last 10 seconds or more and occur repeatedly throughout the night. People with sleep apnea will partially awaken as they
struggle to breathe, but in the morning they will not be aware of the disturbances in their sleep. The most common type of
sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), caused by relaxation of soft tissue in the back of the throat that blocks the
passage of air. Central sleep apnea (CSA) is caused by irregularities in the brain’s normal signals to breathe. Most people
with sleep apnea will have a combination of both types. The hallmark symptom of the disorder is excessive daytime sleepiness.
Additional symptoms of sleep apnea include restless sleep, loud snoring (with periods of silence followed by gasps), falling
asleep during the day, morning headaches, trouble concentrating, irritability, forgetfulness, mood or behavior changes, anxiety,
and depression. Not everyone who has these symptoms will have sleep apnea, but it is recommended that people who are experiencing
even a few of these symptoms visit their doctor for evaluation. Sleep apnea is more likely to occur in men than women, and
in people who are overweight or obese.
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.
American Sleep Apnea Association 1424 K Street, NW Suite 302 Washington, DC 20005 asaa@sleepapnea.org http://www.sleepapnea.org Tel: 202-293-3650 Fax: 202-293-3656 |
National Sleep Foundation 1522 K Street NW Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005 nsf@sleepfoundation.org http://www.sleepfoundation.org Tel: 202-347-3472 Fax: 202-347-3472 |
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHBLI) National Institutes of Health, DHHS 31 Center Drive, Rm. 4A21 MSC 2480 Bethesda, MD 20892-2480 http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov Tel: 301-592-8573/240-629-3255 (TTY) Recorded Info: 800-575-WELL (-9355) |
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Last updated June 22, 2007