What do all these terms mean?

Here is a glossary of terms that are often associated with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Apnea: Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person experiences short interruptions of breathing during sleep. The "apnea" in sleep apnea refers to a breathing pause that lasts at least 10 seconds.

Apneic Event: Involuntary breathing pauses that occur during sleep.

Body Mass Index (BMI): A way of measuring body fat based on a person’s height and weight.

Central Sleep Apnea: A rare condition related to the function of the central nervous system. In a person with Central Sleep Apnea, the muscles used for breathing don’t receive “signals” from the brain or the signals are interrupted.

CPAP: An abbreviation for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. CPAP machines are often used to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and deliver air through face masks worn during sleep.

ESS (Epworth Sleepiness Scale): A questionnaire about a person’s daily habits that is used to determine his or her level of daytime sleepiness. ESS scores are often used in the diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

Hypopnea: Breathing that is shallower or slower than normal. Hypopnea incidents are measured during sleep testing to help determine if a person has Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

Mixed Apnea: A combination of Central Sleep Apnea and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

NovaSom: A diagnostic tool for Obstructive Sleep Apnea that allows sleep studies to be administered by patients in the comfort and privacy of their own homes. NovaSom is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for diagnosis of OSA.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): A relatively common condition caused by a blockage of the airway during sleep. OSA is caused when the soft tissue in the back of the throat falls backward as muscles relax during deep sleep. This process is repeated multiple times during the night.

Polysomnography: A diagnostic test performed at a clinical sleep lab that measures a number of physiologic variables during sleep. It measures functions pertinent to OSA, as well as variables used to diagnose some neurological disorders.

Sleep-Disordered Breathing: Breathing disorders characterized by abnormalities in breathing patterns, such as pauses in breathing, or the quantity of ventilation provided.