What is the Difference Between Apnea and Hypopnea?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between apnea and hypopnea lies in the extent of breathing interruption during sleep. Both conditions are associated with obstructive sleep apnea and can lead to similar symptoms, but they have distinct characteristics:
- Apnea: In this condition, a person's breathing is completely stopped for at least 10 seconds during sleep. Apnea is considered a more severe form of obstruction, as it involves a total cessation of airflow.
- Hypopnea: This is characterized by a reduction in airflow for at least 10 seconds, with a decrease in respiratory rate and related functions. Hypopnea occurs when a person takes in shallow breaths for 10 seconds or longer while asleep, and their airflow is partially blocked.
Both apneas and hypopneas are considered breathing events and are used to diagnose various types of sleep-related breathing disorders. These events can be scored differently depending on the severity and frequency of the episodes, which help classify the severity of obstructive sleep apnea. However, the distinction between apneas and hypopneas does not have any known clinically predictive value.
Comparative Table: Apnea vs Hypopnea
Apnea and hypopnea are both sleep-related breathing disorders, but they have distinct differences. Here is a table comparing the two:
| Feature | Apnea | Hypopnea |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A complete pause in breathing | A period of shallow breathing |
| Duration | Las |
- Apnea vs Dyspnea
- Hypoxia vs Hypoxemia
- Hyperventilation vs Hypoventilation
- Hypoxia vs Hypercapnia
- Hyperventilation vs Tachypnea
- Sleep Apnea vs Snoring
- Insomnia vs Sleep Apnea
- Asphyxia vs Hypoxia
- Dyspnea vs Shortness of Breath
- Hypoxia vs Ischemia
- Cyanosis vs Hypoxia
- Breathing vs Respiration
- Obstructive vs Central Sleep Apnea
- cpap vs bipap
- Hypertonia vs Hypotonia
- Hypertension vs Hypotension
- Hypothermia vs Pneumonia
- Hypovolemia vs Hypervolemia
- Hypo vs Hyper