Final answer:
Apnea is the medical term for the cessation of breathing, and it can have serious health consequences if it occurs for prolonged periods, particularly during sleep as in sleep apnea.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medical term for cessation of breathing is apnea. This condition is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep, which can be due to the brain's respiratory centers not responding properly to carbon dioxide levels or physical blockages. Apnea can be quite dangerous if the cessation lasts for more than 20 seconds as it may lead to consequences such as stroke, heart failure, and tiredness. Sleep apnea specifically refers to these pauses occurring during sleep, and can impact both adults and infants, with the latter particularly at risk for sudden infant deaths (SID).
Apnea refers to a temporary pause or absence of breathing. This can occur during sleep, known as sleep apnea, or in other medical conditions. For example, central sleep apnea is a type of sleep apnea where the brain's respiratory centers do not stimulate the muscles involved in breathing properly, leading to a cessation of breath. It is important to recognize and treat apnea as it can have serious consequences for a person's health.