Sleep related breathing disorders in adults

Overview

Sleep related breathing disorders (SRBD) are important group of diseases, whose pathophysiology, examination, comorbidity and therapy needs multidisciplinary approach including the screening of subjects at risk. The most prevalent and the most studied of them is obstructive sleep apnea. The article is a review of up-to-date knowledge of these disorders, and gives also short information about the practical management of patients with SRBD in the Czech Republic.

Key words:
Sleep related breathing disorders, sleep apnea, sleep hypoventilation, polysomnography, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP), non-invasive ventilation.