The apnea hypopnea index (AHI), equivalent though different from Respiratory Disturbance Index (or RDI), is a measurement standard used to assess the number of times they stop breathing (apnea) and also the number of times their sleep is disrupted (hypopnea) during rest hours. The word "apnea" originates from the Greek prefix "a" ("without") and "pneein" ("to breathe"). The apnea measured in the Apnea-Hypopnea Index, then, are instances in time that the person sleeps "without breathing." Usually, the individual's breathing stops around ten seconds or even longer. "Hypopnea" comes from the Greek words "hypo" ("below") and "pneein" (breathing). The word hypopnea refers to those whose breathing is "below breathing" during the night (indicating moments of sleep distraction).

Apnea hypopnea is different from apnea in that hypopnea concerns shallow breathing while apnea relates to the absence of breathing. A person with sleep apnea could possibly die if their breathing stops for an unusual period of time during the night. This can occur because of the cutoff of oxygen to the lungs and throat. The AHI is performed for patients who possess all the symptoms indicative of sleep apnea.

This person had 70 events during 8 hours of sleeping, for an AHI of 8.75, or 9. "9" fits the mild category, since the mild category is categorized as anywhere from 5-15 sleeping events.

The individual in question has an AHI of 30, which classifies him or her as a borderline (if not baseline) acute apnea-hypopnea patient, since the moderate classification goes up to 30 and the severe classification is 30 and above. This person certainly needs sleep treatment in order to avoid death by sleep apnea. This is not the most severe case, nevertheless: since the severe index can go above 30, an individual can have an AHI index of "42" and be in a worse state than the person that registers "30" on the AHI.

Sleep apnea and sleep hypopnea have both been discussed; how to calculate the AHI index has been discussed. However, what about the relevance of the numbers? The AHI numbers signify an underlying medical problem. If someone registers a "30" on the AHI scale, for example, he or she most likely has got some physical symptoms that they have largely ignored, perhaps unbeknownst to them.

The individual with sleep apnea snores frequently, and loudly. Next, the sleep apnea patient suffers from memory problems. He or she falls short of memory recall and concentration on easy tasks. Next, sleep apnea patients experience restless sleep. Often, they will toss and turn in their sleep, many times a night to find a comfortable place to rest-though they do not find it. Headaches are common: sleep apnea patients encounter headaches either during their sleep or after they wake up in the morning. Lastly, sleep apnea patients experience personality changes. They may become more irritable all of a sudden, or less sociable than normal, etc. Watch out for major personality changes, as this may be a sign that the person is not getting enough rest.

The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) is the key used by doctors to assess the level of apnea-hypopnea sleeping disorder a person has. Apneas are the number of times any person stops breathing during the rest, while hypopneas are the number of times a person has shallow breathing when sleeping. If you calculate your AHI index and find that you have somewhat moderate to a severe case, you should talk with your doctor right away to see what treatment options are available. You can never tell: assessing your AHI index just might save your life.

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