Hypopnea in a nutshell: part 2

So in case of hypopnea there is intermittent collapse of the upper airway and reductions in blood oxygen levels during sleep. A sleeping person becomes incapable to breathe normally and awakens with each collapse. As a result the quality of sleep is reduced considerably. If hypopnea is not treated the consequences of the disease can be really deplorable. They include:

• hypertension,
• cognitive disfunction,
• memory loss,
• coronary artery disease,
• heart attack,
• stroke,
• impotence.

The most common and effective treatment of hypopnea is continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP. A patient puts up a mask over his face (nose or mouth) and an air blower forces air through the upper airway. The air pressure is adjusted in a way to avoid the upper airway tissues from collapsing during sleep. Also mild hypopnea can be treated by losing weight, refusing from alcohol and smoking before sleep, doing certain excercises that strengthen gullet muscles, avoiding sleeping on your back and some more.

Hypopnea in a nutshell: part 1

Hypopnea comes from the Greek roots hypo- (meaning low, under, beneath, down, below normal) and pnoe (meaning breathing). Literally it means underbreathing. In case of hypopnea breathing is shallower or slower than normal. It is a sleep disorder that can be characterized by person's repetitive stops of breathing or low breathing for short periods of time during sleep. Hypopnea is distinct from apnea in which there is a total cessation of breathing.

Hypopnea may disturb a person's quantity and quality of sleep as it often causes a severe sleep breakup. It all results in sleep deprivation and excessive daytime sleepiness, most usual consequences of which are traffic accidents, diminished productivity, emotional problems, etc. Cardiovascular consequences of hypopnea include myocardial infarction, stroke, psychiatric problems, impotence, cognitive disfunction, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and memory loss.

Among the most commong hypopnea symptoms are:

• Excessive sleepiness
• Snoring
• Depression
• Forgetfulness
• Mood or behavior changes
• Trouble concentrating
• Loss of energy
• Nervousness
• Morning headaches

Not everyone who suffers from hypopnea has all these symptoms and not everyone who has these symptoms suffer from hypopnea.