Apnea (ap-nee-uh) means "a lack of spontaneous breathing." Adult males are most commonly affected with sleep apnea, although it also occurs in children. People who suffer from sleep apnea, may have their breathing interrupted from 30 to several hundred times during the night. When the air flow is blocked it can damage the heart and lungs and, in some cases, be fatal. For most, sleep apnea causes snoring, with moments of silence when normal breathing is blocked. This is usually followed by jerky movements and a loud "snort" as the airway is cleared. These periods of apnea may or may not wake you. Often, you're not even aware the problem exists. You may wake feeling rested, but have problems staying awake during the day. This condition is usually diagnosed by having someone watch you sleep at home or in a sleep lab. Research has shown that sleep apnea may be associated with sudden infant death syndrome; so, if your child pauses while breathing, notify your doctor. The condition can sometimes be helped with medications and sleep monitors. If the problem is caused by a physical abnormality, adults can often be treated by surgery. It may also help to avoid sleeping on your back or to lose weight if you're overweight. For more information on apnea, talk with your doctor.