What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. These interruptions can last from a few seconds to minutes and may occur many times throughout the night. Individuals with sleep apnea often experience poor-quality sleep, which can lead to daytime fatigue, and may increase the risk for other health issues such as cardiovascular problems and metabolic disorders.

The distinct feature of sleep apnea is the cessation of breathing, which is usually due to either an obstruction of the upper airway (obstructive sleep apnea) or a failure of the brain to signal the muscles to breathe (central sleep apnea). This distinguishes it from other conditions such as respiratory infections or chronic lung diseases, which involve different underlying pathologies and mechanisms.

In the context of the other options, while chronic lung disease and obstructive lung disease involve ongoing respiratory issues, they do not specifically entail the episodic breathing cessation that characterizes sleep apnea. Similarly, respiratory infections could affect breathing during sleep but are not a sleep disorder themselves. Thus, the definition provided in the correct choice encapsulates the essence of sleep apnea accurately and clearly.