Apnea

Apnea is the temporary cessation of breathing, which may be voluntary or involuntary. During apnea, there is no movement of the muscles of inhalation, and the volume of the lungs initially remains unchanged. Depending on how blocked the airways are, there may or may not be a flow of gas between the lungs and the environment. If there is sufficient flow, gas exchange within the lungs and cellular respiration would not be severely affected. Voluntarily doing this is called "holding one's breath". Apnea may first be diagnosed in childhood, and it is recommended to consult an ear-nose-throat specialist, allergist or sleep physician to discuss symptoms when noticed; malformation and/or malfunctioning of the upper airways may be observed by an orthodontist.