Abstract
The term 'sleep apnea' is defined as the interruption of breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea syndromes are complex clinical pictures characterized essentially by the co-occurrence of a curtailment in psychophysical performance due to chronically disturbed sleep, and cardiovascular or cardiopulmonary disorders such as essential and pulmonary hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias. Sleep apnea syndromes are caused by a high number of apnea phases per hour of sleep. Sleep apnea is a primary risk factor. The prevalence may be estimated at 10% in men between the ages of 40 and 60. Failure to diagnose sleep apnea in general medicine to date has been primarily to the lack of adequate recording instruments. We developed a long-term measuring device which permits reliable identification of sleep apnea on the basis of large samples and in the normal environment of the patient. The device is also reasonably priced and easy to operate, and thus suitable for use in the doctor's office as well.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 34-42 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Fortschritte der Medizin |
Volume | 106 |
Issue number | 27 |
State | Published - Jan 1 1988 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine