apné

Apné, or apnea in English, designates a temporary cessation of breathing. In medical contexts, it refers to pauses in breathing that last at least ten seconds and may occur during sleep or wakefulness. Recurrent apnea can reduce blood oxygen levels and disrupt normal physiological function.

Sleep apnea (apnée du sommeil) is the most common form. It is categorized into obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), due to repetitive upper airway collapse during sleep; central sleep apnea (CSA), caused by diminished or absent respiratory drive from the brain; and mixed sleep apnea, which combines both mechanisms.

Symptoms typically include loud snoring, observed pauses in breathing during sleep, gasping or choking sensations, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, and cognitive or mood disturbances. Risk factors include obesity, male sex, older age, smoking, alcohol use, nasal obstruction, and certain anatomical features; CSA is frequently associated with cardiac or neurological conditions and certain medications.

Diagnosis is usually established by sleep studies, such as polysomnography, and measurement of the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI). Home sleep apnea testing may also be used in some cases.

Treatment depends on type and severity. For OSA, first-line options include weight loss, positional therapy, oral appliances, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP); extreme cases may involve surgery (e.g., uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, or mandibular advancement). CSA management targets the underlying cause and may involve adaptive servo-ventilation or CPAP. All forms benefit from treating comorbid conditions and reducing risk factors.

Apné also designates the sport of breath-hold diving (l’apnée) in which practitioners hold their breath underwater for extended periods, covering static apnea, dynamic apnea, and other disciplines. It requires specialized training, safety protocols, and awareness of risks such as hypoxia and shallow-water blackout.