Daytime Consequences of Sleep Apnea in REM and NREM Sleep

There is controversy as to whether the daytime consequences of sleep apnea are different depending on whether the apnea occurs predominantly in the state of REM (rapid eye movement) or NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep. Apnea is the partial or complete closure of the airway which occurs during sleep and is ended in part by arousal. Many patients exhibit differences in the amount and frequency of these events during REM and NREM sleep. Patients with apnea present with symptoms of daytime sleepiness and changes in concentration and memory.