Sleep disturbance Abnormal respiratory system physiology Sleep apnea HP:0010535 MSH:D012891 human_phenotype SNOMEDCT_US:73430006 UMLS:C0037315 peter Sleep apnoea 2009-09-21T08:53:35Z An intermittent cessation of airflow at the mouth and nose during sleep. Apneas of at least 10 seconds are considered important, but persons with sleep apnea may have apneas of 20 seconds to up to 2 or 3 minutes. Patients may have up to 15 events per hour of sleep. Pauses in breathing while sleeping