A potentially serious sleep disorder, sleep apnea is characterized by repeated stops and starts in breathing during sleep that cause the sufferer to wake. This can happen 20 or 30 times an hour, resulting in significant sleep loss and preventing deep, restful sleep. Most people don't even remember waking up. There are two main types of sleep apnea: obstructive and central.

Obstructive sleep apnea is more common and found twice as often in men than women. Throat tissues obstruct the airway, and the airway narrows or closes and breathing momentarily stops. The person wakes briefly, may snort or gasp, and then begins breathing normally again. Snoring is often a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea.

Central sleep apnea is less common and occurs when the brain doesn't send the right signals to the muscles that control breathing. Some people have complex sleep apnea, a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apneas.

Treatment for sleep apnea may involve surgery to clear blocked nasal passages or using a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device. This machine delivers air pressure through a mask placed over your nose while you sleep, and can be prescribed for home use. Proper use of a CPAP machine is crucial for its effectiveness.

Talk to your doctor if you experience:

• Loud snoring
• Shortness of breath that awakens you from sleep
• Pauses in breathing during sleep
• Excessive daytime drowsiness
• Chronic fatigue

Get Help at Henry Ford

Henry Ford Health System operates one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive sleep centers, helping more than 1,200 patients annually. The team of physicians, nurses and care providers work around the clock diagnose and treat a variety of sleep disorders. Sleep studies are routinely conducted at the Center, and because Henry Ford is a research center, a variety of treatment options are available which may not be offered at other sleep centers.