Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by “stopping breathing” for more than 10 seconds at a time while asleep. There are two types: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the less common central sleep apnea (CSA). Diagnosis is confirmed by a polysomnograph or “sleep study”.
 
Typically, a person with sleep apnea will display:
1) Apneas of 10-120 seconds
2) Snoring
3) Restlessness and excessive movement or kicking while asleep
4) Mouth breathing
5) Dry mouth or throat upon waking
6) Thirst overnight and/or upon waking
7) Waking feeling unrefreshed followed by daytime tiredness or foggy thinking
8) A tendency to fall asleep in meetings and in front of the TV
9) Breathlessness while exercising
 
Normal sleep occurs in four stages Stages 1, 2, 3, 4 and REM (rapid eye movement)Stages 3 and 4 are the most restful and deepest sleep but when a person is over-breathing or hyperventilating, they are prevented from easily reaching these stages and will remain primarily in the light and easily disturbed sleep stages 1 and 2. A person with sleep apnea has the added difficulty of “arousal” occurring each time an apnea finishes with a gasping breath, dragging the person close to consciousness though not actually waking. This explains why it often takes a long time for a person to accept that they have a problem needing attention, much to the frustration of others!

Buteyko reduces overbreathing, resulting in normal sleep patterns being re-established. Hyperventilation lowers carbon dioxide to the point where the breathing reflex is depressed. This is interpreted as an apnea or hyponoea to an observer. During cessation of breathing, the carbon dioxide slowly accumulates until it triggers the body to take the next breath. By correcting the breathing pattern the body no longer needs to suppress the breathing reflex as the carbon dioxide level is maintained within normal limits.