A/HI - Apnea-hypopnea Index
The number of apneic episodes (obstructive, central, and mixed) plus hypopneas per hour of sleep; Synonymous with respiratory disturbance index |
ABG - Arterial Blood Gas
A term used to describe the assessment of arterial blood gas levels of oxygen (Pa02) and carbon dioxide (PaC02) |
Acidosis
A pathologic condition resulting in the accumulation of acid or loss of base in the body; Respiratory acidosis is the state of excess retention of carbon dioxide |
Actigraph
An instrument for the measurement of body movement |
Aerophagia
The swallowing of air |
Affordable Care Act, ACA
Visit HealthCare.gov website for information on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Read more on ACA: Affordable Care Act, ACA. Blogger |
Alkalosis
A condition in which the alkaline content in the blood increases above normal limits |
Allergen
Any substance that causes an allergy; A substance capable of producing an immediate hypersensitive (allergic) reaction |
Allergy
An acquired, abnormal immune response to a substance (allergen) that does not normally cause a reaction; Contact with the allergen results in a broad range of inflammatory responses |
Alpha Activity
Rhythm at 8-13 Hz, characteristic of relaxed wakefulness with eyes closed |
Alpha-delta Sleep
Sleep in which alpha activity occurs during slow-wave sleep |
ALTE - Apparent Life Threatening Event
An episode that is frightening to the observer and that is characterized by some combination of apnea, color change, marked change in muscle tone, choking or gagging |
Alternating Pressure
A method of pressure management. Air cylinders are inflated and deflated in an A-B-A-B pattern; at a given moment, the A's are relatively inflated and the B's relatively deflated, then an attached pum |
Alveolar Hypoventilation
The inability to exchange sufficient amounts of air between the room and the lung to allow for gas exchange that produces normal gas concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood |
Alveoli
Microscopic air sacs located at the end of the respiratory tract; Grape-like clusters of sacs that allow inhaled oxygen to enter the bloodstream and carbon dioxide to leave the bloodstream |
Alzheimer's
The National Institute on Aging estimates that up to 50% of Americans aged 85 years or older may have Alzheimer's disease. As the baby boom generation ages, Alzheimer's disease is likely to become an |
Ankle valgus
Ankle valgus is a condition where the ankles roll in, compromising the stability and alignment of the body. Failure to treat ankle valgus can lead to chronic ankle instability including sprains and pr |
Ankle varus
Ankle varus is a condition where the ankles roll out, diminishing the stability and overall alignment of the body. If left untreated, ankle varus can lead to chronic ankle instability. People with ank |
AOI - Apnea of Infancy
An unexplained episode of cessation of breathing for 20 seconds or longer, or a shorter respiratory pause associated with bradycardia, cyanosis, pallor, and/or hypotonia; AOI refers to infants who are |
AOP - Apnea of Prematurity
Periodic breathing with pathologic apnea in a premature infant; AOP usually ceases by 37 weeks gestation, but occasionally persists to several weeks past term |
