What is the term for periodic interruptions of breathing during sleep?

Sleep apnea is characterized by recurrent and periodic interruptions in breathing during sleep. These interruptions can last for a few seconds to minutes and can occur multiple times throughout the night. This condition disrupts sleep and can lead to various health issues, including daytime fatigue, cardiovascular problems, and a higher risk for other systemic disorders.

The other terms listed refer to different phenomena that do not pertain specifically to the interruption of breathing. Catathrenia is related to a specific type of sleep-related vocalization, nocturia refers to the condition of waking during the night to urinate, and hypopnea describes a reduction in airflow during sleep without complete cessation of breathing, rather than the intermittent pauses characterizing sleep apnea.

Thus, sleep apnea is the most accurate term to describe the periodic breathing interruptions experienced during sleep.