Sleep related breathing disorders (SRBD) are important group of diseases, whose pathophysiology, examination, comorbidity and therapy needs multidisciplinary approach including the screening of subjects atrisk. The most prevalent and the most studied of tliem is obstructive sleep apnea. The article is a review ofup-to-date knowledge of these disorders, and gives also short information about the practical managementof patients with SRBD in the Czech Republic.

        Key words: Sleep related breathing disorders, sleep apnea, sleep hypoventilation, polysomnography, continuous positive airway pressure (ČPAP), bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP), non-invasive ventilation.