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Sleep Apnea Definition
Common names:
  • Apnea During Sleep
  • Central Sleep Apnea
  • Mixed Sleep Apnea
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea
  • Sleep Apnea
A person with sleep apnea stops breathing for short periods while sleeping.

Three types of sleep apnea include:
  • Obstructive sleep apnea:
    • Structures in the mouth or throat block the airway during sleep
  • Central sleep apnea:
    • Weak signals from the brain reduce the normal drive to breathe
  • Mixed sleep apnea:
    • A combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea
Continue to Sleep Apnea Incidence
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Last Updated: Sep 9, 2008  References
Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD
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