Diagnosis and management of sleep apnea syndrome

Sleep apnea is the cessation of breathing during sleep. These episodes result in hypoxemia and sleep disruption; thus the consequences are both cardiorespiratory and neural. Sleep apnea syndrome is defined by a constellation of signs and symptoms, with the main presenting symptom being excessive daytime sleepiness. A diagnosis requires documentation of episodes of abnormal breathing during sleep. This disorder, once thought to be very rare, is so common that it is unlikely that any busy clinician has not encountered a case. Facilities for the evaluation of sleep breathing disorders are now available in most communities. With the introduction of continuous positive airway pressure and other treatments, most patients have complete resolution of their disabling symptoms.