What is a more Detailed Explanation of Sleep Apnea? image
FAQ Topic
What is a more Detailed Explanation of Sleep Apnea?
When discussing sleep apnea, the terms apnea and hypopnea are often used.
A hypopnea is when breathing is partially impaired due to a partial obstruction of your airway.
An apnea is when breathing is completely stopped.

During a sleep test, an apnea or hypopnea must last for at least ten seconds to be counted toward a diagnosis of sleep apnea. When these episodes last less than ten seconds it is called a RERA, or respiratory effort related arousal. When our bodies arouse us or wake us up to breathe it disrupts our REM sleep cycles.

As sleep apnea progresses, these events gradually increase in duration. Often people will have shorter arousals and be found to not have sleep apnea even though they may have UARS or sleep disordered breathing.