Interruptions of breathing during sleep. There are two types of sleep apnea; central and obstructive. Central sleep apnea, which is less common, occurs when the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the breathing muscles to initiate respirations.

Obstructive sleep apnea is far more common and occurs when air can?t flow into or out of the person?s nose or mouth although efforts to breathe continue. In a given night, the number of involuntary breathing pauses or ?apnetic events? may be as high as 20 to 30 or more per hour. These breathing pauses are almost always accompanied by snoring between apnea, although not everyone who snores has this condition.

Sleep apnea can also be characterized by choking sensations. The frequent interruptions of deep, restorative sleep often lead to early

morning headaches and excessive daytime sleepiness. Early recognition and treatment of sleep apnea is important because it may be associated with irregular heartbeat, heart attacks, and a stroke. Sleep apnea occurs in all age groups and both sexes, but is more common in men

Most adults need less sleep as they get older. First is known as a slow wave sleep, because there is a reduced electrical activity in the brain. It is known as a non REM sleep, the eyes do not move rapidly during this phrase. During slow wave sleep, there is a decrease in the basal metabolic rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate so that the person is relaxed. The second type of sleep is known as paradoxical or REM sleep, because of the rapid eye movements that take place behind the closed eyelids.

apnea also can occur in obese people when a excess amount of tissue in the airway causes it to be narrowed. In some cases, surgery maybe necessary to correct an airway obstructive that is causing the apnetic spells. In severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea, the patient may need to have a tracheotomy to be able to breathe while

the sleep disorders occur is most important to the physician, and how the diagnostic tests may be of help. An evaluation in a sleep laboratory may be needed for more complicated sleep problems. Falling or staying asleep may reflect anxiety, stress, or simply a bad habit. Consistently waking up early in the morning and daytime sleepiness are often symptoms of depression, which should always be treated. Sleep

many babies have learned to sleep though the night, though they nap for periods during the day. By the age of four, most children have given up their daytime naps.

cause the interruptions in breathing during sleep. In some people, apnea occurs when the throat muscles a

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