Abstract

Sleep apnea is a serious, potentially life threatening condition that is far more common than generally understood. First described in 1965, sleep apnea is a breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. It owes its name to a Greek word, apnea, meaning “want of breath.” Obstructive sleep apnea is far more common type of sleep apnea and occurs when air cannot flow into or out of the person’s nose or mouth although efforts to breathe continue.