Severity of sleep apnea
Sleep apnea occurs when you regularly stop breathing
for 10 seconds or longer during sleep. It can be mild, moderate, or severe,
based on the number of times an hour that you stop breathing (apnea) or that
airflow to your lungs is reduced (hypopnea). This is called the apnea-hypopnea
index (AHI).
- Mild apnea. Mild apnea is defined as 5 to 15 episodes
of apnea or reduced airflow to the lungs every hour with 86% or more
oxygen saturation in the blood. Symptoms may include
drowsiness or falling asleep during activities that do not require much
attention, such as watching television or reading. These symptoms may cause
only minor problems at work or while spending time with friends or
family.
- Moderate apnea. Moderate apnea is defined as 15 to 30
episodes of apnea or reduced airflow to the lungs every hour with 80% to 85%
oxygen saturation. Symptoms may include drowsiness or falling asleep during
activities that require some attention, such as attending a concert or a
meeting. These symptoms may cause moderate problems with work or social
functioning.
- Severe apnea. Severe apnea is defined as more than 30
episodes of apnea or reduced airflow to the lungs every hour with no more than
79% oxygen saturation. Symptoms may include drowsiness or falling asleep during
activities that require active attention, such as eating, talking, driving, or
walking. These symptoms may cause severe problems with work or social
functioning.
Sleep apnea may be classified differently in children because they
are still developing and they normally breathe at a faster rate than adults
do.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Mark A. Rasmus, MD - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Sleep Medicine |
| Last Revised | July 9, 2009 |