Complications of snoring, upper airway resistance syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in adults.

The complications of sleep-disordered breathing can be separated into two categories. First are those disorders that primarily are brought on by the sleep disorder itself. The second category is those pre-existing medical problems that are aggravated by the sleep disorder. This article examines the consequences of obstructive breathing disorders during sleep and reviews some of the current theories as to the pathophysiology of those problems directly resulting from the sleep disorder.