CPAP device related terminologies
Aren't you also confused by this technical jargon that aims to exclude everyone who isn't among the “initiated”? We doctors also have an inner circle of so-called initiates. And when it comes to technical jargon, we are certainly at the top of the food chain. How about we let you in? Well, if we tried to explain everything to you at once, you would probably run away before the explanation is finished. That's why today we'll just focus on the terms related to CPAP.
CPAP machine
This abbreviation stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. It is a device used to treat breathing problems in both adults and young children. In small children it is used to treat Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS). Simply put, the lungs of affected infants are more likely to fail and without the help of a device that reduces the breathing effort needed to expand the lungs, these children would die. For adults, the most common use is to treat obstructive sleep apnea.
Terms used in the physiology of ordinary sleeping and breathing
NREM sleep – stands for English. Non-Rapid Eye Movement In this phase of sleep, as the name suggests, there are few eye movements and the muscles are not paralyzed.
REM sleep – stands for English. Rapid Eye Movement. This sleep phase is characterized by rapid eye movements. During this phase one cannot sleepwalk due to paralysis of the muscles. The thought processes are hallucinatory in this phase.
Melatonin – This is the hormone responsible for regulating the day-night rhythm. Jet lag can cause an imbalance. Some foods, such as milk, contain a lot of melatonin.
Surfactant – This is a substance found in the lungs. Their job is to keep the alveoli open by reducing surface tension. Premature babies do not yet have sufficient amounts of this substance. As a result, they usually have breathing problems and have to be supported with CPAP until they can produce their own surfactant on their own.
Respiratory centers – Located in the spinal cord and brain stem and are responsible for regulating breathing in the body. They receive signals and initiate compensatory mechanisms to counteract breathing irregularities.
Glomus caroticum – This is a collection of special receptors that are located at the junction of the carotid arteries. They detect changes in carbon dioxide and oxygen concentrations in the blood and send signals to the respiratory centers. They can also detect changes in temperature and pH.
Aortic glomera – These are receptors located on the aortic arch. They detect changes in blood pressure as well as the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the blood and, in the event of deviations, send appropriate signals to the respiratory centers.
Terms used for abnormal sleeping and breathing
IBS – This is a condition in which newborns have inadequate amounts of surfactant. You are unable to breathe on your own and therefore need to be supported with CPAP.
Hypercapnia – Describes an increased partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood. Occurs in obstructive apnea due to the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood. This can easily develop into metabolic acidosis (increased concentration of carbonic acid in the serum).
Hypoxia – Describes a reduction in the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood. It can also be the result of obstructive sleep apnea. Without correction, death could result.
Apnea – This is a sleep disorder that manifests itself as pauses in breathing. There are three forms of apnea: central sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and their mixed form.
Hypopnea – Reduction in airflow during sleep due to compromised airways.
Aerophagia – A common consequence of OSA, which is characterized by swallowing air.
GERD – Stands for reflux esophagitis, or more commonly known as heartburn. This condition is typical for people who suffer from sleep apnea.
Oxygen desaturation – A complication of prolonged hypopneas characterized by oxygen saturations below 92% despite a normal room air environment. Is determined and recorded using a pulse oximeter.
Terms used for diagnostic criteria and treatment options for sleep disorders
ASAA – Stands for the American Sleep Apnea Association. This is a healthcare facility dedicated to helping people suffering from sleep apnea.
Titration – Determination of the pressure needed to reverse apnea or hypopnea during sleep. This examination is used to determine the setting value for the CPAP machine.
Epworth Sleepiness Scale – A method for assessing daytime sleepiness by answering an eight-question questionnaire.
LMN – Stands for English. Letter of Medical Necessity.
PSG – Stands for polysomnogram, which is the diagnostic tool for diagnosing sleep apnea.
AHI – Stands for Apnea-Hypopnea Index. It is used to classify the severity of sleep apnea.
AI – This is the number of apneic events per hour .
APAP – Stands for Automatic Positive Airway Pressure, in German automatic continuous positive pressure ventilation. This is an automatic positive pressure ventilator. It can adjust the pressure according to the user's sleep phases to only apply as much pressure as the respective sleep phase requires.
BIPAP – stands for English. Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure, in German biphasic positive pressure ventilation. This machine uses positive pressure to support both inhalation and exhalation.