Sleep apnea (or obstructive hypopneas apnea) is a syndrome characterized by occurrence of abnormally frequent episodes of interruptions or reductions (hypopneas) of breathing during sleep. These breath breaks last from 10 to 30 seconds or more, and can be repeated a hundred times a night. They are due to repeated or partial obstructions of respiratory ducts of back of throat that occur during sleep.
To keep upper airways open during sleep, re are continuous positive pressure (CPAP) devices, developed at beginning of 1980 years. These masks, fixed on face during night, are connected to a machine that sends air under pressure into nose of sleeper. The air thus pulsed prevents tongue from tipping back and dilating muscle of pharynx from closing. There is no additional oxygen supply.
Nearly 490,000 people benefited from a continuous positive pressure mask in 2012. Nearly two more than in 2006.
