When a partial blockage of the airway happens, it is a condition known as hypopnea, which is a feature of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome. Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome is a disease in which the airway is blocked to differing degrees while a person is asleep. On the other hand, sleep apnea is a full obstruction of the airway during sleep.

When a person experiences episodes of hypopnea, there is a 10-second period when their breathing is reduced by 50 percent or more. Both conditions, hypopnea and sleep apnea are severe medical conditions which can trigger a number of other health issues. As we have discussed sleep apnea a number of times, let’s now take a closer look at hypopnea and everything there is to know about the condition.

Hypopnea Causes

The major risk factors for this condition are smoking and obesity. Hypopnea occurs when there is a narrowing of the airways leading to the lungs during sleep. As a result, the muscles in the back of the throat relax and the airway narrows and collapses. Hence, the person who experiences such episodes doesn’t have normal and regular breathing. This disrupted breath can last up to 30 seconds at a time to people both with hypopnea and sleep apnea.

When such episodes happen, the body and the brain don’t get the necessary oxygen and consequently, the brain wakes up and starts breathing again. However, these awake instances are so short that a person doesn’t even remember that they’ve happened.

Symptoms of Hypopnea

There are a number of symptoms which are associated with hypopnea. In fact, the symptoms of hypopnea are similar to those of obstructive sleep apnea. Hence, some of the most common hypopnea symptoms include insomnia, mood changes, excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigues, difficulty with memory and concentration, and waking at night and feeling short of breath.

Types of Hypopnea

There are three different types of hypopnea, including central, obstructive and mixed hypopnea. In central hypopnea, both airflow and breathing effort are reduced, while at obstructive hypopnea, only the flow of air is reduced, rather than the breathing effort. In mixed hypopnea, a person experiences a mix of both central and obstructive hypopnea episodes. People with central hypopnea don’t have any of the signs of obstruction, such as blocked airway or snoring.

Hypopnea vs. Sleep Apnea

These two conditions are, in fact, very similar. Unsurprisingly, hypopnea is a type of sleep apnea. Hypopnea refers to abnormally slow or shallow breathing, while sleep apnea means periods of no breathing. The major difference between these two conditions is in the degree of blockage in a person's airway.

Therefore, a person who has sleep apnea experiences a completely blocked airway, while a person with hypopnea deals with only a partially blocked airway. These two conditions can occur together and it’s often the case that a person who has sleep apnea also has episodes of hypopnea and vice versa.

Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI)

The Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) is the number of apneas or hypopneas a person experiences per hour of sleep. The AHI is a clear indicator of the severity of hypopnea. So, if a person experiences less than 5 events per hour, it is a minimal severity, a mild severity means that there are between 5 and 15 events per hour, moderate severity of hypopnea is between 15 and 30 events per hour, while a severe hypopnea means that a person experiences more than 30 events per hour. Thus, the Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI) might be used to determine the best treatment plan.

Hypopnea Treatment

One of the best and most possible treatments for hypopnea is the use of a CPAP machine. However, the treatment will always depend on the severity of hypopnea. The goal of the treatment will be to eliminate the obstruction in the airway in order to make breathing easier and more seamless. Some of the other possible treatments might include the use of a device to stabilize and open the airway and surgical removal of excess tissue.

However, there are also a number of things a person can do on their own in order to manage or prevent a hypopnea episode. Thus, a person should quit smoking, shed extra pounds, avoid alcohol, sedatives, and sleep medications.

So, if you are experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness, you should discuss this with your doctor.

Recent research has been done regarding genes and sleep disorders which resulted in findings which can help doctors understand who is at risk and tailor a remedy for them. There are a number of genes which are tested through common consumer DNA test kits. Until now, researchers have found that narcolepsy, the disorder of extreme, excessive sleepiness, has been mapped to a particular gene (HLA-DQB1*06: 02). Likewise, restless legs syndrome has a strong genetic tie and four genes have been linked to the disorder.

There are tendencies which show that being a night owl or early bird are linked to specific and testable genes. In fact, the ability to deal with in adequate sleep has recently been linked to a gene. Recent research conducted by scientists in San Diego revealed that genes can play a role in insomnia and connected mood disorders, such as depression.

It has been revealed that there are two genes which have a huge effect on the sleep-disruptive limb movements. The BTBD9 gene has been found in people with restless legs, while and variations in the ADA gene have been seen in individuals with deep sleep deficiency. Knowing and understanding the genetic risk for diseases can help you get a quicker and more precise diagnosis. The DNA information is quite fascinating and it has the potential of becoming very useful.

The genetics of a person makes has about 80% of the impact on susceptibility to the cognitive effects of sleep deprivation. Moreover, there have been studies which discovered that two areas of DNA were found to be crucial to sleep behavior. One of the areas is closely connected to long periods of sleep, much more than what’s considered average, while the other area is linked to more efficient glucose metabolism and to short sleep cycles, along with an increased risk of schizophrenia and depression.

Studies, both large and small have aimed to explain how a person’s genetics might influence their sleep habits. Researchers have found that whether a person is likely to wake up early or later is partially determined by genes involved in setting their circadian rhythm, called an internal clock.

After decades of research, it has been found out that sleep is an important and complex activity which is influenced by the food, the environments, and our DNA. There is much more to learn about the latest sleep science in the future and we are all looking forward to it.

Catheter ablation is a procedure which uses radio frequency energy. This procedure destroys a small area of heart tissue,which causes rapid and irregular heartbeats. By destroying this tissue, the heart’s regular rhythm is restored. Another name for catheter ablation is radio frequency ablation.

This procedure is usually used to treat abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) in situations when medicines are not tolerated or effective. Medicines are used to control the abnormal heart tissue which causes arrhythmias where as catheter ablation destroys the tissue. This is a very successful and low risk operation which is conducted in a special hospital room called electrophysiology (EP) lab or a cardiac catheterization (cath) lab. The procedure usually takes 2 to 4 hours.

The Reason for Catheter Ablation

Your heart has special cells which create electrical signals which travel along pathways to the chambers of your heart. These signals make the upper and lower chambers of the heart beat in the proper sequence. However, when there are abnormal cells, they can create disorganized electrical signals which cause irregular or rapid heartbeats called arrhythmias. These instances might make your heart not be able to pump blood effectively. Consequently, you might experience pounding, shortness of breath, weakness, or fainting.

The medicines which treat rapid and irregular heartbeats are a great option for most people. However, such medicines might not work for some people and might cause side effects. Thus, these people might be required to undergo catheter ablation.

Catheter ablation is usually used for supraventricular tachycardia, atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation. The procedure destroys the abnormal tissue without doing any damage to the rest of the heart.

Catheter Ablation Risks

There are a number of risks which might result from the use of the catheters. As the procedure requires inserting long, thin tubes into your arteries or veins. Inserting these tubes can sometimes cause bleeding or infection or damage your blood vessel. However, such problems are quite rare.

How to Prepare for Catheter Ablation?

In order to prepare for the procedure, you will be required to follow a number of steps. You will be asked not to eat or drink anything for at least 6 to 8 hours before the procedure. Your doctor will advise you about the medicines which you should or shouldn’t take. You should come without any jewelry and with someone who can take you home after your procedure.

What happens During Catheter Ablation?

This procedure is performed by a doctor with special training together with a team of nurses and technicians. First, an IV is put into a vein in your arm and you get anesthesia. Some people might get sedative and be awake throughout the procedure. The procedure is usually preformed usually in your groin. The puncture site will be numb with a local anesthetic. The doctor will make a needle puncture through your skin and into the blood vessel in your groin. He will insert a small straw-sized tube into the blood vessel. Then, the catheter will be gently guided into the vessel through the sheath. Pressure in your groin might be felt.

A number of long, thin tubes with wires, electrode catheters, are inserted through the sheath and feeds these tubes into your heart. Using the electrode catheter, the doctor will send a small electrical impulse. This activates the abnormal tissue while other catheters record the heart’s electrical signals to locate the abnormal sites.

The catheter is placed at the exact site inside your heart where the abnormal cells are. Then, radio frequency energy is sent to the tissue. This destroys the small area which causes rapid heartbeats.

What Happens After Catheter Ablation?

As soon as the procedure is finished, you will be moved to a recovery room. The sheath will stay in your leg for several hours during which time you have to lie flat. Then, the sheath is removed. You have to keep your leg straight for 6 to 8 hours and you will be informed when you can get out of bed. Your heartbeat and vital signs will be closely monitored. Before you go home, you will get written instructions about what to do at home.

What Happens After You Get Home?

You will have to follow the written instructions. You will probably be able to return to your normal activities on the day after you leave the hospital. However, you shouldn’t drive or drink alcohol for 24 hours after the procedure. Moreover, you will have to avoid any heavy physical activity for three days. Nevertheless, you will have to call 911 if you notice swelling in the puncture, bleeding, you feel sick in the stomach, you have a fast or irregular heartbeat, or you experience shortness of breath.