What condition occurs when throat muscles relax during sleep, potentially leading to collapse?

Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, which can occur when the throat muscles relax excessively. This relaxation can cause the airway to become partially or completely blocked, leading to brief episodes where breathing stops altogether. These episodes can trigger awakenings during the night, often without the individual being fully aware of it, which disrupts sleep quality and can result in daytime fatigue and other health issues.

In contrast, insomnia involves difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep but does not typically involve the collapse of the airway due to muscle relaxation. Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness and unexpected sleep attacks, but it is not primarily characterized by the relaxation of throat muscles during sleep. Parasomnia refers to abnormal behaviors during sleep, such as sleepwalking or night terrors, rather than issues related to breathing or airway obstruction.