Breath-holding during sleep (Apnea?)

[Jana__0]

  My wife (yes I'm male) suffers from a sleep disorder that makes her suddenly inspire in a loud gasp, then hold her breath for anything from 5 to about 20 seconds before finally beginning the exhalation phase, during which her vocal cords tense up and she makes a terrible open-mouthed moaning noise for up to about 45 seconds, left left to her own device. She is then quiet for a couple of minutes before the whole process starts over. These outbreaks occur in spells of 5 to 10 instances per episode, and there can be several episodes in a night.
  She is in her early thirties and otherwise healthy. Indeed, she does not seem at all disturbed by her nightly apnea-like episodes, but awakes well rested most of the time. I happened to mention this behaviour recently as I was talking with her mother, after a particularly bad night, and she was baffled because she's been having the exact same problems with her husband (my wife's father) ever since they were married, 40 years ago. So it appears that my wife inherits this sleep disorder from her father. I was intrigued by this fact, so I then went on to monitor our two chidren's nightly behavior. It wasn't long before I discovered that our younger daughter, aged 3, is showing unmistakable signs to carry on the tradition. The older girl is a sound sleeper like her father.
  So my question reads: Is this condition treatable? Even if my wife doesn't seem to be all too disturbed by the problem as such, It often disrupts my own sleep which in turn leads to my wife's sleep being disturbed since I have to wake her up in order for her to be able to stop the sounds.
  Thanks for reading this far!
  /Jana
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Thanks for the question. It sounds like your wife is having sleep apnea syndrome which represents disordered breathing which leads to partial (hypopnea) or complete (apnea) cessation of breathing. Two types of sleep apnea syndrome exist: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and central sleep apnea (CSA). OSA follows from upper airway limitation on airflow. CSA follows from a loss of central nervous system control or respiration. The definitive test is made with a PSG (polysomnogram) which is a sleep study. Treatment may include weight loss, avoidance of alcohol and sedatives. Surgical procedures called UPPP uvulopalatopharyngoplasty may be done. CPAP or continuous positive pressure airway pressure may also be used. The bottom line is it sounds like a sleep study should be done. If you wish a referral to CCF call 216 444 5559.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes. PLease consult your doctor for diagnostic and treatment options.