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Sleep apnea occurs when you regularly stop breathing for 10 seconds or longer during sleep. It can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on the number of times an hour that you stop breathing (apnea) or that airflow to your lungs is reduced (hypopnea). This is called the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI).
Sleep apnea may be classified differently in children, because they are still developing and they normally breathe at a faster rate than adults do.
Current as of: November 7, 2022
Author: Healthwise StaffMedical Review: Anne C. Poinier MD - Internal MedicineDonald Sproule MDCM, CCFP - Family MedicineAdam Husney MD - Family MedicineMark A. Rasmus MD - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Sleep MedicineHasmeena Kathuria MD - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Sleep Medicine
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Anne C. Poinier MD - Internal Medicine & Donald Sproule MDCM, CCFP - Family Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Mark A. Rasmus MD - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Sleep Medicine & Hasmeena Kathuria MD - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Sleep Medicine
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