Hypopnea is the resistance to airflow through the upper airway (nose and throat) can reduce the amount of air reaching the lungs, reducing the blood oxygen concentration (hypoxia). The body senses the low blood oxygen level and the heart works harder to try to get more oxygen to the body leading to chronic strain on the heart and an increase in blood pressure.
This resistance to the air flow usually leads to a condition known as Apnea.
Apnea is the complete stoppage of the airflow that occurs when the upper airway resistance in the nose and throat causes enough of a force to close the airway completely stopping breathing for a period of time. The most common cause of blockage of the air is the tongue falling back into the throat.
Eventually this leads to arousal. Both apnea and hypopnea lead to a reduction of blood oxygen. The body signals an alarm and releases a jolt of adrenalin to wake up and breathe. The constant arousals keep you from going into deep, restful sleep and cause serious health consequences.
The Cause of Sleep Apnea
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