hypopnea, apnea - termonology clarification

Whats the difference between hypopnea and apnea?

Hiya.

I'm not sure if this will help you much, but I've been looking for much the same information.

An apnea is defined in an article currently heading this site. The following is the address if you want to look it up:

http://www.aikenstandard.com/2007redesi ... 289604.php
The definition is as follows:

repeated and unwanted breathless moments (apnea) of at least 10 seconds duration while we sleep

Hypopnea is defined elsewhere on this site as:

a decrease in airflow by at least 50% for ten seconds or more, with a 3% desaturation of blood oxygen level

In essence, a hypopnea is a partial apnea. The apnea is total loss of breath for 10 seconds or longer (or presumably between 50% and 100% loss), and a hypopnea is 50% loss for 10 seconds or longer.

Regards,

GrizzlyBear

This helped me better understand the difference between the two, thanks to all the wonderful people and their replys:

viewtopic.php?p=229839&highlight=apnea+ ... %2A#229839

Hiya.

Wow, thanks for the link - that, and others referred to within it etc. are fascinatingly informative. I probably could've tracked some of these down by a search - sorry to seem lazy to you 'oldtimers', but I have trouble prising my sons away from the computer long enough to do anything much - fortunately my oldest son (10 years) is at a science day today, but I have to take my youngest (7) to see the Alvin & The Chipmunks movie later (oh, joy - hope I get half a laugh - I got a chuckle or two at Enchanted the other day).

Oh, blast, there I go waffling on - it's not so much that I don't get much computer time, but more that I waste what I get.

Just wanted to say that I am MUCH better informed than I was - newbies, give these links a run.

Regards,

GrizzlyBear (have to run to the shower, so we can make the movie on time, or I'll get my bum kicked!!!!!!)

GrizzlyBear wrote:Hiya.

Wow, thanks for the link - that, and others referred to within it etc. are fascinatingly informative. I probably could've tracked some of these down by a search - sorry to seem lazy to you 'oldtimers', but I have trouble prising my sons away from the computer long enough to do anything much - fortunately my oldest son (10 years) is at a science day today, but I have to take my youngest (7) to see the Alvin & The Chipmunks movie later (oh, joy - hope I get half a laugh - I got a chuckle or two at Enchanted the other day).

Oh, blast, there I go waffling on - it's not so much that I don't get much computer time, but more that I waste what I get.

Just wanted to say that I am MUCH better informed than I was - newbies, give these links a run.

Regards,

GrizzlyBear (have to run to the shower, so we can make the movie on time, or I'll get my bum kicked!!!!!!)

Welcome, Grizzly, like I said, these folks here have helped me tremendously..

Thank you for that, now I understand a little more of my sleep tests