what are apneas and hypopneas
In sleep clinics, Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome is normally diagnosed based on the frequent presence of apneas and/or hypopneas rather than differentiating between the two phenomena. Hypopnea is typically defined by a decreased amount of air movement into the lungs and can cause oxygen levels in the blood to drop.
Definition. AHI (Apnea Hypopnea Index) is the number of apneas and hypopneas per hour. Or an index for sleep apnea. 5-20 mild, 21-50 moderate, above 50 severe. The Greek word âapneaâ means âwithout breath.â You stop breathing during sleep for ten seconds or longer.