It is when there is a repeated and temporary cessation of breathing during sleep, such disorder is usually associated with snoring. It can occur as often as one per minute and only ends when the brain notices the drop in oxygenation and strength, working almost as a quick alarm clock, so that the person returns to breathe.
It can be caused by nasal obstruction or obesity. About 15 million Brazilians suffer from this condition.
A few minutes or seconds later everything repeats itself, the heartbeat rises to an absurd level. Apneic always wakes up tired, even when you think you've slept through the night.
Apnea is classified into three types:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea - occurs when breathing effort is initiated, but air does not reach the lungs due to airway obstruction.
Central Apnea - occurs as a result of a dysfunction of the central nervous system in generating the proper stimulation to the rib cage muscles, consequently not initiating the effort respiratory.
Mixed Apnea - occurs when initially there is no inspiratory effort, but when the effort starts, apnea persists due to airway collapse.
by Eliene Percília
Brazil School Team