Hypopnoea is a medical term that refers to a partial closure of airways during sleep, resulting in decreased airflow to the lungs. The spelling of the word is determined by the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription system. In IPA, "hypo-" is pronounced as /haɪpə/ and "-pnoea" is pronounced as /ˈnɪtiəs/ or /-nɪə/. This system allows for consistent and accurate pronunciation of words across different languages and dialects, making it an essential tool for linguists, speech therapists, and language learners.
Hypopnoea is a medical term that refers to a condition characterized by an abnormally shallow or insufficient breathing, particularly during sleep. It is a type of sleep-disordered breathing and falls on the milder end of the spectrum compared to its more severe counterpart, apnoea.
During hypopnoea, the flow of air to the lungs is reduced, resulting in diminished oxygen intake. This diminished airflow is often accompanied by a partial reduction in blood oxygen levels, which can disturb the normal sleep patterns and deprive the body of restful sleep. Hypopnoea events are typically associated with snoring and can interfere with the sleep quality and overall health of an individual.
Common symptoms of hypopnoea include excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, difficulty focusing, and irritability. If left untreated, hypopnoea has the potential to contribute to or exacerbate other health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. It may also impact the sleep quality of others sharing the same sleep environment due to the loud snoring often associated with the condition.
Treatment for hypopnoea may involve lifestyle changes such as weight loss, quitting smoking, and avoidance of alcohol and sedatives. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices are commonly used to deliver a steady stream of air pressure to keep the airways open during sleep. Other treatment options may include mandibular advancement devices, which reposition the jaw to keep the airways open, or surgery to address structural abnormalities in the throat or nasal passages.
Overall, hypopnoea is a condition characterized by insufficient breathing during sleep that can lead to various health issues if not managed appropriately.
The word hypopnoea is derived from two Greek roots: hypo meaning under or below, and pnoia meaning breath or breathing. So, the literal meaning of hypopnoea is under-breathing or diminished breathing.