Below is a reference guide covering sleep-related terms, as well as terms related to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. This list is added to as questions arise from you.

A:

• Apnea: A temporary pause or cessation of breathing during sleep, lasting at least 10 seconds.
• Arousal: A brief awakening from sleep, often accompanied by a change in heart rate, respiration, or brainwave patterns. You may or may not be aware of them. 

B:

• BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure): A type of positive airway pressure therapy that delivers two different levels of pressure, higher during inhalation and lower during exhalation, to better assist breathing.

C:

• Central Sleep Apnea: A sleep disorder characterized by a lack of respiratory effort during sleep, resulting in repeated pauses in breathing.
• Circadian Rhythm: The internal body clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and other biological processes over a 24-hour period.
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): A non-invasive treatment for sleep apnea that delivers a constant flow of pressurized air through a mask, keeping the airway open during sleep.
• CPAP Machine: The device that delivers positive airway pressure during CPAP therapy.

D:

• DME (Durable Medical Equipment): Equipment used in medical treatment that is intended for long-term use. Interchangeable with the term HME (Home medical equipment)

H:

• Hypopnea: A partial reduction in airflow during sleep, resulting in a decrease in oxygen levels and brief arousal.
• Home Sleep Study (HST): A small device that you wear at night in your own home to test for Sleep Apnea.

I:

• Insomnia: A sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early and having trouble returning to sleep.

M:

• Mask Fit: The process of finding the appropriate mask size and style that provides a secure and comfortable seal during CPAP therapy.

N:

• Nocturia: The need to wake up during the night to urinate, often disrupting sleep.

O:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common type of sleep apnea, characterized by repetitive blockages or collapses of the upper airway during sleep.

P:

• Polysomnography (PSG): A comprehensive sleep study that records various physiological parameters, such as brain activity, eye movements, heart rate, and muscle activity, to diagnose sleep disorders. (Usually referred to an in-lab sleep study)

R:

• REM Sleep (Rapid Eye Movement Sleep): A stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements, vivid dreams, and increased brain activity.

S:

• Sleep Apnea: A sleep disorder in which breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep, leading to decreased oxygen levels and disruptions in sleep.
• Sleep Debt: The accumulated sleep loss that occurs when an individual consistently does not get enough sleep.
• Sleep Hygiene: Practices and habits that promote good quality sleep, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and creating a conducive sleep environment.
• Sleep Study: A diagnostic test, usually performed overnight in a sleep center, to monitor and assess various sleep parameters and identify sleep disorders.
• Snoring: A harsh noise caused by air vibrating tissues in your airway.

T:

• Titration: The process of adjusting the pressure settings on a CPAP machine during a sleep study to find the optimal pressure for an individual’s needs.

U:

• UPPP (Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty): A surgical procedure to remove excess tissue in the throat to treat obstructive sleep apnea.

W:

• Wakefulness: The state of being fully awake and alert.

This reference guide provides a starting point for understanding common sleep-related terms and concepts, as well as key terms related to CPAP therapy.