Sleep apnea occurs when a person's breathing often is blocked or
partly blocked during sleep. It can be mild, moderate, or
severe, based on the number of times each hour that breathing
stops (apnea) or slows (hypopnea). The two main types of sleep
apnea are: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is the result of
blocked airflow during sleep, such as from narrowed airways.
Other things, such as obesity, often contribute to obstructive
sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea, which results from a problem
with how the brain signals the breathing muscles. This type of
apnea can occur with conditions such as heart failure, brain
tumors, brain infections, and stroke. A child or adult who has
sleep apnea may snore loudly and have restless sleep with
difficulty breathing. He or she may wake up with a headache. Or
the person may be very tired throughout the day. Sleep apnea may
improve with changes in sleep habits, such as not sleeping on
your back. Sleep apnea is usually treated first with a
continuous positive air pressure