Which condition is characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep?

Which condition is characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep?

• A. Deviated septum
• B. Epistaxis
• C. Chronic sinusitis
• D. Sleep apnea

Answer: (D)

Repeated pauses in breathing during sleep signal sleep apnea, a sleep-related breathing disorder. The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing brief stops in airflow even though the person is trying to breathe. This leads to fragmented sleep and daytime fatigue, which is why this option best fits the description. Other conditions listed—deviated septum, epistaxis, and chronic sinusitis—cause nasal obstruction or sinus symptoms but do not inherently produce the repeated breathing pauses that define sleep apnea.

Repeated pauses in breathing during sleep signal sleep apnea, a sleep-related breathing disorder. The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing brief stops in airflow even though the person is trying to breathe. This leads to fragmented sleep and daytime fatigue, which is why this option best fits the description. Other conditions listed—deviated septum, epistaxis, and chronic sinusitis—cause nasal obstruction or sinus symptoms but do not inherently produce the repeated breathing pauses that define sleep apnea.