Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

sleep, non-rapid eye movement
See 
NREM
sleep.
sleep, NREM
See 
NREM sleep.
sleep, rapid eye movement
See 
REM sleep.
sleep, REM
See 
REM sleep.
sleep apnea
Temporary stoppage of breathing
during sleep, often resulting in daytime sleepiness.
skin graft, autologous
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Treatment depends on the type of sleep apnea pres-
ent. Sleep apnea is classified as obstructive or cen-
tral. Sleep apnea that is associated with air passage
obstruction may require losing excessive weight,
avoiding alcohol and sedatives, sleeping on one
side, medications to relieve nasal congestion, a
breathing device, or surgical procedures. Central
sleep apnea is uncommon and caused by problems
in the brain that impair the signals to breathe and
can require mechanical ventilation. See also 
sleep
apnea, central; sleep apnea, obstructive; sleep
disorder.
sleep apnea, central
Brief interruptions of
breathing during sleep caused by failure of the brain
to send the appropriate signals to the breathing
muscles to initiate respiration. Central sleep apnea
is less common than obstructive sleep apnea and
can require mechanical ventilation. See also 
sleep
apnea, obstructive.
sleep apnea, obstructive
Brief interruptions of
breathing during sleep caused by physical obstruc-
tion to the flow of air. The air cannot flow through
the nose or mouth, although efforts to breathe are
made. The basic problem may be blockage in the
mouth or nose. Sleep apnea that is associated with
air passage obstruction may require losing exces-
sive weight, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, sleeping
on one side, medications to relieve nasal conges-
tion, a breathing device, or surgical procedures. See
also 
sleep apnea, central.
sleep disorder
Any disorder that affects, dis-
rupts, or involves sleep. The most common sleep
disorder is snoring, although it is usually not med-
ically significant. Insomnia, sleep apnea, restless
legs syndrome, and sleepwalking are also sleep dis-
orders. Many large medical centers have diagnostic
and treatment facilities dedicated to diagnosing and
treating sleep disorders. See also 
sleep apnea;
sleepwalking; snoring.
sleepwalking
Purposeful moving, usually but
not always including walking, while in a deep stage
of sleep. Sleepwalking occurs most frequently in
children, particularly boys. Sedatives tend to exac-
erbate rather than cure sleepwalking. The best
measures are preventive: Ensure that the sleep-
walker is in a safe room for walking and cannot
accidentally fall through an open window or down
stairs. Some types of sleepwalking are related to
seizure disorders, bipolar disorders, and other neu-
rological conditions, but most cases are transitory
and due to unknown causes. Also known as som-
nambulism.