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Definitions:Sleep apnea is a condition where, for a variety of reasons, a person ceases to breathe during sleep. Sleep apnea can be categorized into the following types.
- Central sleep apnea: defined as the absence of both airflow and breathing efforts. In essence, it is the failure of the brain to signal the diaphragm and other muscles of ventilation to contract.
- Obstructive sleep apnea: defined as having no airflow or a significant decrease in airflow although there are continuing respiratory efforts.
- Mixed sleep apnea: as the name implies this is simply a combination of both central and obstructive sleep apneas. It generally begins as a central apnea followed by an obstructive component.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, a person who suffers from sleep apnea may experience as many as 20-30 apneic episodes per hour in any given night. An apneic episode is defined as 10 or more consecutive seconds of apnea.
