Sleep Apnea Episodes

How often do people with sleep apnea stop breathing during the night?

Sleep apnea, a disorder where a person stops breathing periodically while he or she sleeps, tends to occur in episodes that typically last anywhere from ten to sixty seconds at a time.

However, in more serious cases, the breathing lapses can last even longer.

These “apnea events” occur as many as 300 to 400 times per night.

Some people with sleep apnea wake up completely during or after apneic episodes, while others may awaken partially or not at all.

Sleep apnea sufferers who wake up constantly tend to exhibit symptoms of sleep deprivation and have extreme daytime sleepiness.

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