A B C D E F G H L M N O P R S T U

AirView

ResMed AirView is a cloud-based patient management system designed to help CPAP patients and healthcare providers monitor and manage their sleep apnea.

Apnea–hypopnea index (AHI)

AHI, or apnea-hypopnea index, is the number of apneas or hypopneas you experience per hour while you sleep. This is a metric used so you can keep track of your therapy data. Learn more about your AHI score here.

Automatic positive airway pressure (APAP)

Automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) therapy automatically changes a user's pressure throughout the night based on the user's needs. It will deliver only the lowest pressure needed as a person moves in and out of different sleep stages. Learn more about APAP machines here.

Apnea

Apnea is a temporary pause of breathing for at least 10 seconds in adults or 15 seconds in newborns.

AutoSet™

AutoSet is ResMed's technology that adjusts the air pressure of a CPAP machine based on the user's breathing needs. It's designed to increase comfort and compliance.

AirSense

AirSense is the name of some ResMed CPAP and BiPAP machines.

AirCurve

AirCurve is the name of some ResMed BiPAP machines.

BiPAP Therapy

While CPAP therapy delivers one constant air at one fixed pressure, BiPAP therapy delivers two different levels of pressure: one for inhalation and one for exhalation. BiPAP therapy helps those who have more severe cases of sleep apnea or do not find success with CPAP therapy.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body weight relative to the person's height.

Breas

Breas Medical is a leading manufacturer of effective CPAP machines and other products. Breas CPAP products include faster accuracy, compact designs, and advanced results. Shop Breas products here.

Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a sleep disorder that causes pauses in breathing during sleep, caused by a failure of the brain to send signals to the muscles that control breathing.

Circadian Rhythm

Often referred to as the body's clock, the circadian rhythm is the body's natural 24-hour cycle that regulates various physiological and behavioral processes.

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

CPAP therapy or continuous positive airway pressure is the most common treatment for sleep apnea. It uses a CPAP machine to deliver a constant flow of pressurized air through a mask worn while asleep, designed to keep the airway open to prevent pauses in breathing during sleep. Learn more about the benefits of CPAP therapy.

CPAP Machine

A CPAP machine is a medical device that delivers a constant stream of pressurized air through a mask worn over the nose or mouth to keep the airway open while sleeping, preventing the airway from collapsing at night. Learn more about CPAP Machines here.

Climate Control

Climate control is a comfort feature on select CPAP machines that adjusts the temperature and humidity of the air delivered to the mask to help patients sleep more comfortably.

Comorbidities

Often seen in sleep apnea patients, comorbidities are the presence of one or more additional medical conditions that occur with/because of a primary condition.

Compliance

Compliance describes how well a sleep apnea patient is following the recommended usage of their CPAP therapy. When someone is compliant, it means they are most likely gaining the benefits of treatment. Medicare guidelines state that compliance is defined as using your machine at least 4 hours each night for 70% of the nights. So, if you use your machine 22 days out of 30 for at least 4 hours a night you are compliant.

Complex Sleep Apnea

Complex sleep apnea Complex sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that combins obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA).

DME

DME, Durable Medical Equipment, refers to medical supplies or devices, including wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen products, and more.

Easy-Breathe Technology

Easy Breathe Technology is a patented system by ResMed that enhances CPAP comfort by delivering a more natural breathing experience. It uses a unique motor design and software that closely mimics a user's breathing pattern, resulting in quieter operation and smoother pressure delivery.

Event

When an apnea or hypopnea occurs during sleep, it is called an "event."

Expiratory Pressure Relief (EPR™)

EPR is a comfort feature on some CPAP machines that reduces air pressure when a user exhales to make CPAP treatment more comfortable

Exessive Daytime Sleepiness

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness is a common symptom of sleep apnea where a person feels extremely tried during the day.

Fisher & Paykel

Fisher & Paykel is a popular manufacturer of CPAP masks that are comfortable, compact, and easy to use for CPAP treatment. It continues to evolve its strategy of high-quality, effective, and user-friendly CPAP equipment. Shop F&P products here.

Flow

Flow refers to the stream of air entering a person's lungs when they breathe (without or without using a CPAP machine.

Flow Limitation

Flow limitation refers to any event that limits the flow of air into a person's body, typically due to an obstruction in the airway.

Full Face Masks

Full face masks can be used when treating sleep apnea, and are masks designed to cover both the mouth and nose, accommodating high pressure settings.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive condition where a person's stomach contents flow back up into the esophagus, causing irritation, heartburn, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and more. GERD often occurs in those who have sleep apnea.

Hose

A CPAP Hose connects a CPAP machine to a CPAP mask. It allows pressurized air to flow continuously to keep the airways open while asleep.

Humidifier

During CPAP therapy, a humidifier is often used to increase comfort. It adds vapor to the air a patient exhales, preventing dry and sore airways.

HumidX/HumidX Plus

HumidX and HumidX Plus are waterless humidification solutions compatible with the ResMed AirMini Travel CPAP machine. As a patient inhales, heat and moisture are captured and stored within the tiny ridges of the HumidX filter. The exhaled heat and moisture are then released when the user inhales, providing more comfortable therapy while traveling or on the go.

Hypertension

Hypertension, also referred to as high blood pressure, is often associated with sleep apnea. CPAP therapy reduces the risk of high blood pressure, but when left untreated, the risk of hypotension is highly increased.

Hypopnea

Hypopnea is a condition where breathing slows down or becomes shallow during sleep. It is typically caused by the multiple forms of sleep apnea.

Lower Airway

The respiratory system is made up of all the organs in the person's body that help breathing. The windpipe and lungs are also known as the lower airway. It is protected by the chest cavity, which also contains the heart.

Mask Leak

CPAP masks can "leak", which refers to when air escapes from a CPAP mask during therapy. This prevents the full intended air pressure from reaching the airway, hindering CPAP success. Mask leaks can occur when a patient has an ill-fitting mask or if they need to replace certain mask parts.

Mixed Apnea

Mixed apnea is a type of sleep disorder where a person experiences both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

MyAir

myAir is an online support program and app that connects to a user's ResMed machine and stores data that patients and their healthcare provider can view. Learn more about myAir in this blog article.

Nasal Masks

Nasal masks are used for CPAP therapy and cover or cradle the nose to receive pressurized air through the nasal passageways. These masks typically are lightweight and comfortable to use. Shop nasal masks here.

Nasal Pillow Masks

Nasal pillow masks are a type of mask used for CPAP therapy. This type of mask rests at the entrance of the nose, gently sealing the nostrils to deliver pressurized air. This style is the most compact type of CPAP mask. Shop nasal pillow masks here.

Non-REM Sleep (NREM)

The sleep cycle is made up of two recurring sleep stages: REM (rapid eye movement) and NREM (non-rapid eye movement). While both phases perform different functions in the body, NRM focuses on rest and repair, hormone regulation, immune system function, and cognitive function.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). OSA happens when the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, which causes a person to repeatedly start and stop breathing throughout the night.

Oximeter

An oximeter is a small, non-invasive medical device that clips onto a fingertip to measure a person's pulse rate and their blood's oxygen saturation levels.

Oxygen Desaturation

Oxygen desaturation is a decrease in the amount of oxygen in a person's blood. It can be caused by illness or sleep apnea.

Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen therapy delivers oxygen to a person's airway to help them breathe better. It is often used in tandem with CPAP therapy as supplemental oxygen can improve sleep apnea symptoms.

Periodic Breathing

Typically a sign of central sleep apnea, periodic breathing is an unstable breathing pattern that happens during sleep. It combines periods of deep breaths and shallow or absent breathing.

Philips Respironics

Philips Respironics is the largest manufacturer of CPAP equipment in the world, offering innovative and successful CPAP machines, BiPAP machines, comfortable CPAP masks in a range of styles, and other CPAP therapy equipment and parts. Shop Philips Respironics products here.

Pressure

CPAP/BiPAP machines measure the air delivered to a sleep apnea patient as units of pressure. Pressure can vary among patients depending on each user's needs and the severity of their sleep apnea.

Pressure Port

A pressure port is a part, small opening, or connector that allows for the addition of supplemental oxygen to the airflow delivered by the mask.

Prescribed Pressure Settings

To receive CPAP therapy, a healthcare provider will have to prescribe it, providing pressure settings that their CPAP machine will be set to. These settings are based on each patient's unique breathing needs.

Rainout

Most common as a side effect in the winter, rainout is when water droplets build up in a patient's CPAP tubing and mask, potentially causing a damp face and discomfort.

Ramp Settings

Ramp Settings are a common feature included in CPAP/BiPAP machines. It starts therapy at a lower air pressure than prescribed and stays there until the machine detects the user is asleep. The machine will then "ramp up" to the user's prescribed pressure settings, allowing patients to fall asleep more easily. Learn more about Ramp here.

React Health

React Health Medical is a trusted distributor and manufacturer of CPAP therapy products. It includes a popular product line of Luna machines that are available in both CPAP and BiPAP models.

REM Sleep

Rapid eye movement also referred to as REM, is one of the main stages in the sleep cycle. It is when users experience the deepest stage and dreams. The name ame refers to the fast back-and-forth eye movements that can be observed when a person is asleep. Learn more about the sleep stages here.

ResMed

ResMed is the No.1 manufacturer of CPAP masks and produces advanced evolved CPAP products. ResMed provides effective therapy to sleep apnea patients by introducing the AirSense CPAP/BiPAP machines, AirFit CPAP masks, and more. Shop ResMed products here.

Respiratory System

The respiratory system is a group of organs in the body responsible for taking in oxygen from the air and delivering it to the bloodstream. It removes carbon dioxide and waste gas while breathing, with the lungs as the primary organ involved. Other organs of the respiratory system include the nose, throat, trachea (windpipe), and diaphragm muscles that facilitate breathing.

Seal

A CPAP seal is the airtight connection between a CPAP mask and a user's face. Having a strong and secure seal that remains intact all night is vital for effective and compliant CPAP therapy.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that occurs when a person repeatedly starts and stops breathing throughout the night. There are multiple forms of sleep apnea and is most commonly treated by using CPAP therapy.

Sleep Apnea Test

A sleep apnea test is used to diagnose sleep apnea.

Sleep-Disordered Breathing (SDB)

Often interchangeable with “sleep apnea,” SDB is a general term used to describe conditions that prevent a person from breathing properly while sleeping. Symptoms include snoring, pauses in breathing, reduced airflow, and more.

Snore Index

When a person snores, it creates waves of pressure. The strength of these waves is measured and calculated into an index during a sleep study, helping the healthcare provider better understand their patient's potential problems to recommend the proper treatment.

Titration

CPAP Titration is the process of checking and adjusting the air pressure for a sleep apnea patient to ensure that it is optimized to eliminate the apnea events while they are asleep. Learn more about CPAP titration here.

Tidal Volume

Tidal Volume is the amount of air that moves into and out of the lungs in an ordinary, normal breath.

Travel CPAP Machine

A travel CPAP machine is made to use while traveling or on the go. They are made more compact in size for easier packing and usage while away from home. Shop travel CPAP machines here.

Upper Airway

The upper airway is the passageway for air at the beginning of the respiratory system, including the nose, nasal cavity, mouth, throat, and voice box. It refers to the structures in the face and neck that allow air to enter the body before reaching the lower airway.

Usage

Usage is the length of time recorded on a CPAP machine that shows the duration of CPAP therapy.