Sleep Apnea Health Video

Sleep apnea is the obstruction of breathing during sleep for up to one or two minuets. Learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatments for sleep apnea in this health video.

Take Action

Use positive pressure machines
Participate in a sleep study
Avoid long term suffering of sleep apnea

About this Author

Dr. Sewell joined On Call Medical Group after serving as the Medical Director of the Samaritan House in San Mateo. Dr. Sewell continues his community service and out reach work by acting locally. Dr. Sewell strives to provide the most comprehensive, personalized, and convenient medical care possible. He is dedicated to meeting each patient's individual needs and health care goals. Dr. Sewell has served the San Francisco Bay area as a house call doctor, he spends time with his patients to get to the root cause of their issues and concerns. He has worked with the elderly and continues in Internal Medicine with adult patients. Dr. Sewell's educational background includes Duke University BSE Biomedical/Electrical engineering; Georgetown University Masters in Biophysics and Physiology; Virginia Commonwealth University MD degree; California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, Internal medicine internship and residency. Dr. Sewell is versed in Spanish and is an expert in the field of Travel Medicine.

CLIFFORD SEWELL, MD: Hello. This is Dr. Clifford Sewell. A message about sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is defined as the obstruction of breathing during sleep. These apneic episodes are characterized by actually the patient stopping breathing for periods of up to 1 or 2 minutes. The apneic episodes can be quite alarming for the patient's partner. Since the patient is not breathing and once the breathing resumes, there is often a large gasp before the patient is able to breathe again. Sleep apnea untreated over years can lead to cardiopulmonary disease and could be quite serious. Fortunately, the treatment is fairly apparent; you provide more oxygen to the patient through positive-pressure machines. These machines apply pressure through the nasal cavity of positive pressure which keeps the airway open and unobstructed during sleep. If your partner is having episodes of not breathing at night or loud and prominent snoring, I would recommend a sleep study to diagnose sleep apnea.