What is a respiratory event?
Broadly defined, a respiratory event is a disruption of breathing during sleep caused by a partial or complete upper airway collapse. When this upper airway collapse is complete and breathing stops for at least 10 seconds, it is called apnea. When breathing is not stopped but is severely restricted and accompanied by a four percent drop in blood oxygen levels, it is called a hypopnea. Both types of events cause dual problems for the body. First, the disruption of oxygen flow causes stress. Secondly, the events cause sleep interruption and fragmentation.
