What Are Sleep Apnea Events and How Are They Measured?

There are some sleep apnea events not even a double shot of espresso can fix.

No matter how many cups of coffee you down, you can't reverse the effects of a sleep pattern filled with regular sleep apnea events per hour.

In fact, nightly sleep events--sometimes called sleep arousals--can do a lot more damage than simply leaving you feeling sluggish at work and irritable at home.

They can contribute to an early death.

Using a CPAP machine to get a peaceful rest now is a much wiser course than increasing your risk of heart disease and many other life-threatening conditions later.

What is a Sleep Apnea Event

According to the sleep researchers at Harvard Medical School, "Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when a person's airway repeatedly becomes blocked despite efforts to breathe."

These sleep apnea events can be compared to slurping a milkshake through a straw –when the straw collapses or bends, it’s extra hard to pull even a tiny bit of milkshake goodness into your mouth.

In the same way, your airways collapse during a sleep apnea event, meaning you have to pull so hard to get oxygen into your lungs that you wake yourself up.

Go a few seconds without fresh oxygen, and your brain wakes you up to take a breath. Those waking episodes are called "apneas" or "sleep apnea events."

Some studies from the National Institute of Health say that mild sleep apnea could probably be fairly easily controlled by changing your sleeping position, for example.

However, if your sleep is filled with a high number of sleep apnea events per hour you may have sleep apnea, and you’re likely to need CPAP machine treatment since untreated sleep apnea can lead to anything from daytime fatigue to increased obesity-related disease.

Tracking Sleep Apnea Events per Hour and Their Impact

Sleep proceeds through a series of five stages, each deeper than the one before it. The deepest sleep happens when you dream.

Throughout the night, sleepers cycle through these five stages many times. This pattern is called sleep architecture.

Sleep apnea Events interrupt the architecture. A single event can last from three to 15 seconds. Events longer than 15 seconds are called awakenings.

Most sleepers remain unaware of sleep apnea events but realize when an awakening occurs, which makes sense.

As the number of sleep apnea events per hour ramps up, the seriousness of sleep apnea accelerates. Depending on the severity of sleep events, blood oxygen levels can drop to 79% or even lower.

The Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI) determines the severity of sleep apnea events. Further Harvard research shows that fewer than five sleep events per hour is not much to worry about, but five to 15 events is considered mild sleep apnea.

Those who experience 15 to 30 sleep apnea events per hour have moderate sleep apnea, and folks with more than 30 episodes are in the severe range.

Some people say a sleep study showed they had over 100 sleep apnea events per hour! No wonder they woke up exhausted.

But even as few as five events per hour can cause a sleeper to be groggy throughout the day. Using a CPAP machine that encourages uninterrupted breathing can reduce or even eliminate sleep-event progression.

Understanding Sleep Apnea Events

An occasional night with a few sleep apnea events can probably be offset by a big gulp of caffeine and better rest the next evening.

A high AHI, however, can result in serious health-related issues.

A CPAP machine or other treatment may relieve fatigue, reduce illness, and prolong both rest and lifespan. Find out whether you may need a CPAP machine by visiting your doctor for an evaluation.

FAQs about sleep apnea events

1. What is a sleep apnea event?
   A sleep apnea event, also known as an apnea, occurs when your airway becomes blocked or constricted during sleep, leading to pauses in breathing. These events force the brain to wake you up momentarily to take a breath, disrupting your sleep.

2. How many sleep apnea events per hour is normal?
   Fewer than five sleep apnea events per hour is considered normal. An Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI) score between five and 15 events per hour is considered mild sleep apnea, while 15 to 30 events indicate moderate sleep apnea. More than 30 events per hour signify severe sleep apnea.

3. What causes sleep apnea events?
   Sleep apnea events are typically caused by the airway collapsing or becoming obstructed during sleep. Contributing factors may include excess weight, sleeping position, or certain physical conditions such as a narrow airway.

4. How do I track the number of sleep apnea events per hour?
   The number of sleep apnea events per hour is measured using an Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI) during a sleep study. A sleep specialist can evaluate your breathing patterns overnight to determine the severity of your sleep apnea.

5. What are the health risks of frequent sleep apnea events?
   Frequent sleep apnea events can lead to serious health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and excessive daytime fatigue. If left untreated, sleep apnea can significantly impact both quality of life and longevity.

6. Can sleep apnea events be reduced?
   Yes, sleep apnea events can often be reduced or eliminated through treatments like using a CPAP machine, adjusting sleeping positions, or making lifestyle changes such as losing weight. Consult your doctor for advice on managing your sleep apnea.

7. What is the difference between a sleep event and an awakening?
   A sleep event lasts anywhere from three to 15 seconds and may go unnoticed by the sleeper. If the event lasts longer than 15 seconds, it is referred to as an awakening, which is more likely to disturb sleep and be remembered.

8. When should I see a doctor about sleep apnea events?
   If you experience excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, or wake up frequently during the night gasping for air, it's a good idea to consult a doctor. A sleep study may be necessary to diagnose sleep apnea and track the frequency of your sleep apnea events.