apnea Definition
temporary cessation of breathing, especially during sleep.
Using apnea: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "apnea" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He suffers from sleep apnea and has to use a CPAP machine at night.
Example
The baby's apnea was a cause for concern and required medical attention.
Example
The swimmer experienced apnea while attempting to hold his breath underwater.
apnea Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for apnea
- breathlessness
- asphyxia
- suffocation
Phrases with apnea
a type of sleep apnea that occurs when the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the muscles that control breathing
Example
Central sleep apnea is often associated with other medical conditions like heart failure or stroke.
a type of sleep apnea that occurs when the airway is partially or completely blocked during sleep
Example
Obstructive sleep apnea is often treated with a CPAP machine or surgery.
apnea-hypopnea index
a measure of the severity of sleep apnea that takes into account the number of apneas and hypopneas per hour of sleep
Example
The doctor ordered a sleep study to determine the patient's apnea-hypopnea index.
Origins of apnea
from Greek 'apnoia', meaning 'want of breath'
Summary: apnea in Brief
'Apnea' [ˈæpniə] refers to the temporary cessation of breathing, especially during sleep. It can be caused by various factors and can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Types of apnea include central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea. The apnea-hypopnea index is a measure of the severity of sleep apnea.