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What is Apnea?

Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

Most people experience brief pauses in their breathing patterns. These pauses are known as apnea. Typically considered normal, these pauses in breathing occur especially during sleep, resulting in the sleeper being awoken by the disturbance in breathing.

Apnea can be in the form of reduced breathing or breathing stopped altogether. Three main types of the condition exist. Obstructive apnea occurs when something is physically blocking the airways. Obstructions can occur due to any number of conditions, from enlarged adenoids to tonsils.

Pauses in breathing patterns, known as apnea, typically occur during sleep.
Pauses in breathing patterns, known as apnea, typically occur during sleep.

Obstructive breathing pauses are common in children. Up to three in every 100 children at the preschool age may experience this during sleep, while the soft tissue of the throat is most at ease. Symptoms may include changes in color, snoring, restlessness, and continued sleepiness or tiredness during the day. To treat this condition in children, surgery on the tonsils or adenoids may be required. Alternatively, children may be given a continuous positive airway pressure mask, or CPAP, to wear while sleeping.

Mixed apnea occurs primarily in infants and children.
Mixed apnea occurs primarily in infants and children.

Very premature infants can commonly stop breathing without notice as well. This is known as central apnea, and occurs when the brain does not start or maintain normal breathing on its own. Due to the immaturity of the respiratory center in the brain, this is usually handled with some type of oxygen treatment, such as complete intubation or a CPAP. Continual care and observation through a Nursery Intensive Care Unit, or NICU, is also typically required.

Some sleep apnea patients are treated with CPAP devices, which help keep the airways open.
Some sleep apnea patients are treated with CPAP devices, which help keep the airways open.

Mixed apnea, a hybrid of obstructive and central breathing pauses, occurs primarily in children and infants. The cause of this condition is usually attributed to the child's lack of control while breathing. This type of breathing pause can occur while alseep or awake.

Though brief stops of breath can be normal, in adults, the condition can also be dangerous. If breathing stops for 20 seconds or longer, it is considered a health problem. People who completely stop breathing for lengthy periods of time may require a sleep study to be conducted in order to assess their condition. Remedies for such breathing problems usually include the same methods used for children with obstructive breathing issues. Medications may also be given for breathing disorders.

Obstructive breathing pauses are common in children.
Obstructive breathing pauses are common in children.

The origins for the word apnea are Greek. Translated, they mean "without wind." Other causes include drug-induced states, trauma, a neurological disease, holding one's breath, or mechanical induction through choking or strangulation. People who experience noticeable airway restrictions should be taken to a doctor immediately.

Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Sara has a Master’s Degree in English, which she puts to use writing for TheHealthBoard and several magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She has published her own novella, and has other literary projects currently in progress. Sara’s varied interests have also led her to teach children in Spain, tutor college students, run CPR and first aid classes, and organize student retreats.

Learn more...
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Sara has a Master’s Degree in English, which she puts to use writing for TheHealthBoard and several magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She has published her own novella, and has other literary projects currently in progress. Sara’s varied interests have also led her to teach children in Spain, tutor college students, run CPR and first aid classes, and organize student retreats.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

reader888

A friend of mine is afraid he is going to have sleep apnea surgery. He's really nervous about it, because he hates hospitals and has never had any kind of surgery before.

I keep telling him it will be okay, and that he will feel so much better when he can breathe normally at night again. His sleep is so disruptive now, that he is tired all the time.

Is there anything else he can try as an alternative to surgery?

elizabeth2

I'm paranoid that my children will develop sleep apnea, and monitor them all the time to make sure they are breathing normal while sleeping.

Ever since I heard that people can sometimes just stop breathing for no reason, it has scared me.

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    • Pauses in breathing patterns, known as apnea, typically occur during sleep.
      By: Konstantin Yuganov
      Pauses in breathing patterns, known as apnea, typically occur during sleep.
    • Mixed apnea occurs primarily in infants and children.
      By: Pavla Zakova
      Mixed apnea occurs primarily in infants and children.
    • Some sleep apnea patients are treated with CPAP devices, which help keep the airways open.
      By: BVDC
      Some sleep apnea patients are treated with CPAP devices, which help keep the airways open.
    • Obstructive breathing pauses are common in children.
      By: Dmitry Naumov
      Obstructive breathing pauses are common in children.
    • Apnea can lead to intense drowsiness and inability to stay awake during the day.
      By: oporkka
      Apnea can lead to intense drowsiness and inability to stay awake during the day.
    • In some cases, treating the underlying cause of apnea can help both partners achieve more restful sleep.
      By: Photographee.eu
      In some cases, treating the underlying cause of apnea can help both partners achieve more restful sleep.
    • Sometimes used to treat sleep apnea, nasal strips work by pulling open up the nostrils, making it easier to breathe through the nose.
      By: flairimages
      Sometimes used to treat sleep apnea, nasal strips work by pulling open up the nostrils, making it easier to breathe through the nose.