Obstructive sleep apnea.

Preview Repeated occlusion of the upper airway during sleep results in the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Affected individuals may experience excessive daytime sleepiness, intellectual impairment, and personality changes, and their risk of cerebrovascular accidents, ischemic heart disease, and severe respiratory failure is increased. The authors of this article examine methods of recognizing the disorder, indications for treatment, and various medical and surgical approaches to management.