Editing Apnea (section)

==Cause==
Apnea can be involuntary—for example, [[drug]]-induced (such as by [[opiate]] toxicity), mechanically / physiologically induced (for example, by [[strangulation]] or [[choking]]), or a consequence of neurological disease or [[Physical trauma|trauma]]. During sleep, people with severe [[sleep apnea]] can have over thirty episodes of intermittent apnea per hour every night.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Dangers of Uncontrolled Sleep Apnea |url=https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-dangers-of-uncontrolled-sleep-apnea |website=www.hopkinsmedicine.org |access-date=28 April 2022 |language=en |date=10 March 2022 |archive-date=28 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428204813/https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-dangers-of-uncontrolled-sleep-apnea |url-status=live }}</ref>

Apnea can also be observed during periods of heightened [[emotion]], such as during [[crying]] or accompanied by the [[Valsalva maneuver]] when a person [[laughs]]. Apnea is a common feature of sobbing while crying, characterized by slow but deep and erratic breathing followed by brief periods of breath holding.

Another example of apnea are [[breath-holding spell]]s; these are sometimes emotional in cause and are usually observed in children as a result of frustration, emotional stress and other psychological extremes.

Voluntary apnea can be achieved by closing the [[vocal cords]], simultaneously keeping the mouth closed and blocking the [[nasal vestibule]], or constantly activating expiratory muscles, not allowing any inspiration.