sleep apnea

noun

: apnea that recurs during sleep and is caused especially by obstruction of the airway or a disturbance in the brain's respiratory center

Examples of sleep apnea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The first medication for obstructive sleep apnea has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). —Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 24 Dec. 2024

Around 1-5% of children have sleep apnea, often due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids. —Maria Sokolina, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

This paired with junk food can contribute to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and even sleep apnea, a disorder that causes breathing to repeatedly pause or become shallow during sleep. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

The 751 participants in the Lilly trial did not have diabetes; instead, the trial focused on adults living with obesity or overweight who have at least one other comorbidity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or cardiovascular disease. —Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

sleep apnea

noun

: brief periods of recurrent cessation of breathing during sleep that is caused especially by obstruction of the airway or a disturbance in the brain's respiratory center and is associated especially with excessive daytime sleepiness