Sleep apnea?

Is it possible for a person with sleep apnea to not snore every night? To actually sleep well some nights?

* 18 minutes ago
* - 3 days left to answer.

Additional Details

3 minutes ago
It is my 2 year old. HE has an appointment tomorrow with his pedi for it. I had known he sometimes woke from it but when I was up all night with our youngest for several nights over the weekend I saw just how OFTEN it was happening. Last night he slept really reall though.

Question asked at Yahoo Answers

Sleep apnea is a disorder affecting about 18 million Americans that has the potential for serious, and even fatal complications. Persons with sleep apnea actually stop breathing for brief periods of time (usually 10-20 seconds) while asleep. The pauses in breathing can be very frequent and occur 30 times or more per hour. The most common kind of sleep apnea is termed obstructive sleep apnea, and a less common form of sleep apnea is central sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea often results in feelings of fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness, since the ability to reach deep, restorative sleep stages is impaired. Other warning signs of sleep apnea are often noticed by bed partners and include loud snoring and making snorting or choking sounds at night. Those affected may experience awakening with brief periods of shortness of breath.

The sudden decreases in oxygen levels that occur with sleep apnea place a burden on the cardiovascular system, which must work harder in an attempt to deliver sufficient oxygen to all tissues. This strain causes the development of high blood pressure in approximately half of those suffering from sleep apnea, and this increases the risks of stroke and heart failure.

The repeated awakening at night with sleep apnea often results in feelings of fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness, since the ability to reach deep, restorative sleep stages is impaired. Other warning signs of sleep apnea are often noticed by bed partners and include loud snoring and making snorting or choking sounds at night. Those affected may experience awakening with brief periods of shortness of breath.

If you suspect that you (or your bed partner) suffer from sleep apnea, your doctor may refer you to a sleep laboratory for diagnosis. Treatments for sleep apnea are varied and may include physical and mechanical treatments to maintain an open airway or even surgical removal of excess tissue around the upper airway.