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A
advanced sleep phase syndrome (ASPS): a circadian rhythm disorder in which sleep onset occurs in early evening and as a consequence, wakefulness occurs in early morning. This disorder is more common in the elderly.
alpha waves: EEG (brain) wave activity that occurs during quiet wakefulness, such as when the eyes are closed. The frequency of alpha waves is between 8 to 12 hertz (cycles per second). It is indicative of the wakeful state in humans.
ambulatory monitor: Portable system used to record (continuously) multiple physiological variables during sleep.
angina: a disease marked by spasmodic attacks of intense suffocative pain
apnea: transient cessation of respiration whether normal (as in hibernating animals) or abnormal
apnea index (AI): An average number of apnea events per hour.
apnea/hypopnea index (AHI): An average number of apnea-hypopnea events per hour of sleep.
arousal: "Partial" arousal is an abrupt change from a "deep" stage of NREM sleep (stage 3-4) to a "lighter" one (stage 2 or 1). "Full" arousal means awakening. During an arousal, your muscle tone increases, your heart may beat faster and you may move.
arousal disorder: parasomnia disorder presumed to be due to an abnormal arousal function. Classical arousal disorders: sleepwalking, sleep terrors and confusional arousals.
arousal threshold: ease that a sleeping person is awakened.
arrhythmia: An abnormal heart rhythm
auto adjusting continuous positive airway pressure device: A type of CPAP machine monitoring changes in breathing and compensates automatically by making appropriate adjustments in pressure.
automatism: Performance of an act without conscious control, as in the operation of organs, muscles and reflexes
awakening: "Spontaneous" awakenings most often start while you are in REM sleep, although you may awaken from NREM sleep, as well. When you are awake, your brain waves are of the alpha or beta pattern (see brain wave rhythms), your muscle tone is high and you can move voluntarily.
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B
benzodiazepines: Any of several chemical compounds used as sedatives and muscle relaxants
beta waves: EEG (brain) wave activity with a frequency of 13 to 35 hertz (cycles per second) that is typically seen in active wakefulness and also associated with taking psychotropic drugs, in which the eyes blink repeatedly.
bilevel positive airway pressure: an air compressor that blows a higher pressure for inhaling and a lower pressure for exhaling. BiLevel CPAP’s are generally used for apnea patients who can not tolerate high constant air pressure with CPAP.
biological Clock: An intrinsic biological mechanism responsible for the periodicity or other time-dependant aspects of certain classes of behavior and living organisms
bradycardia: A slow heart rate, usually defined as less than 60 beats per minute
brain-wave rhythms: Patterns of electrical activity of the brain. They include: Alpha Rhythms: Most consistent and predominant during relaxed wakefulness, particularly when your eyes are closed or you are in the dark. Alpha rhythms cycle eighteen times per second. Beta Rhythms: Usually associated with alert wakefulness. They are faster than Alpha waves, cycling about thirteen to thirty-five times per second. Delta Rhythms: Occur chiefly in deep sleep stages 3-4, also known as slow-sleep. Delta Rhythms cycle less than four times per second. Theta Rhythm: Associated with the light sleep stage 1 and 2. These cycle four to eight times per second.
bruxism: Grinding and gnashing the teeth
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C
cardiac Arrest: A heart attack, in which the heart suddenly stops pumping sufficient blood.
cardiopulmonary: Having to do with both the heart and lungs
cardiovascular system: The circulatory system, comprised of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels.
cataplexy: A debilitating medical condition in which a person suddenly feels weak and collapses at moments of strong emotion such as laughter, anger, fear or surprise. In so collapsing, people with cataplexy may injure themselves.
central sleep apnea: occurs when the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the breathing muscles to initiate respiration.
central nervous system (CNS): The central nervous system is that part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord
cheyne-stokes respiration: breathing pattern typified by regular "crescendo-decrescendo" or waxing and waning fluctuations in respiratory rate and tidal volume.
chronic insomnia: regular sleeplessness that lasts for more than three weeks and is persistent without treatment.
chronobiology: the scientific study of biological rhythms and timing mechanisms, sleep-wake cycles, heart rate, hibernation cycles, and body temperature
circadian rhythmicity: is a fundamental property possessed by all organisms. These rhythms are driven by an internal time-keeping system: a clock. Changes in the external environment, particularly in the light-dark cycle, entrain this biologic clock. Under constant environmental conditions devoid of time cues, rhythms driven by the clock show a period near, but usually not exactly equal to, 24 hours.
cognitive-behavioral therapy: psychological therapy which focuses on changing attitudes and beliefs related to sleep and insomnia.
copd (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease): Any disorder that persistently obstructs bronchial airflow. COPD mainly involves two related diseases -- chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Both cause chronic obstruction of air flowing through the airways and in and out of the lungs. The obstruction is generally permanent and progresses (becomes worse) over time.
cpap (continuous positive airway pressure): a type of therapy used to effectively treat obstructive sleep apnea in which an air compressor forces air through the nose and into the airway by way of a light mask worn over the nose during sleep.
complementary medicine: the science of combining one or more conventional treatments with one or more alternative treatments to aid in the healing process. For example, treatment for insomnia might include a medication in combination with relaxation therapy.
cortisol: (the same as hydrocortisone) a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal gland that influences the metabolism of various cell types.
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D
deep sleep: refers to combined non-REM sleep stages 3 and 4 in sleep studies
dsps (delayed sleep phase syndrome): a circadian rhythm sleep disorder characterized by difficulty achieving sleep onset in the evening and difficulty waking up at a desired time in the morning. It involves a desired sleep time out of sync with physiologic sleep time.
delta sleep: also called slow wave sleep; a term used to describe the stages of sleep characterized by delta waves. It is regarded as the most restorative time of sleep.
delta waves: Occur chiefly in deep sleep stages 3-4, also known as slow-sleep. Delta Rhythms cycle less than four times per second
Diagnostic Sleep Study: monitoring of several physiological activities in a sleeping individual. Usually performed to determine the absence or presence of a specific sleep disorder. The sleep study can occur in a sleep disorders center or in a patient's home with portable recording equipment.
diaphragm (muscle): The diaphragm is the muscle that separates the chest (thoracic) cavity from the abdomen. Contraction of the diaphragm muscle helps to expand the lungs during inspiration when one is breathing air in.
diastolic: Referring to the time when the heart is in a period of relaxation and dilatation (expansion).
diurnal: Occurring in the daytime. A patient may have a diurnal fever rather than a nocturnal one. Diurnal also can refer to recurring every day.
dme (durable medical equipment): Equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers which are prescribed for use by a physician.
dopaminergic agents: a class of drugs synthesized with the neurotransmitter dopamine and is most often used to treat Parkinson’s patients; often helpful in managing Restless Legs Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder.
dorsal: Pertaining to the back or posterior side of a structure
dream, pre-sleep: Also called a hypnagogic hallucination, this type of dream is characteristically vivid and occurs as one is falling asleep or awakening
dreams: Thoughts, visions, and other sensations that occupy the mind in sleep. Dreams occur during that part of sleep when there are rapid eye movements (REMs).
drowsiness: Sluggish because of sleepiness.
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E
ekg (electrocardiogram): A recording of the electrical activity of the heart. An electrocardiogram is a simple, non-invasive procedure.
eeg (electroencephalogram): A study of electrical current within the brain.
emg (electromyogram): the measurement and recording of muscle activity, particularly under the chin, along the jaw, and on the legs.
eog (electro-oculogram): the detection and recording of eye movements, essential for determining the different sleep stages.
endocrinology: The study of the medical aspects of hormones and their associated diseases and conditions.
endogenous circadian pacemaker: an internal mechanism in the brain, thought to be at the site of the suprachiasmatic nucleus, that drives periodic processes, such as the sleep-wake cycle, body temperature, and cortisol release, in the human circadian timing system.
epap: expiratory positive airway pressure.
epoch: A short interval of arbitrarily defined length (usually 20-60 seconds). The sleep stage or state of each consecutive epoch within a bed rest episode is determined from the polygraphic sleep recording.
esophageal pressure: measurement used to determine respiratory effort and by inference, airway resistance. Considered an invasive measure, generally used only in polysomnographic testing conducted in sleep disorders centers.
enuresis: also called bed-wetting or sleep enuresis; uncontrolled urination during sleep. This disorder is more common in children and often related to maturation; however, repeated nocturnal bed-wetting can indicate other physical or emotional problems.
excessive daytime sleepiness: A neurological disorder in which there is a sudden recurrent uncontrollable compulsion to sleep. Excessive daytime sleepiness is also known as narcolepsy.
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F
fasps (familial advanced sleep-phase syndrome): An inherited abnormal sleep pattern in which the individual is a "morning lark" and consistently goes to sleep very early and is very early to rise. The individual's blood melatonin level and the body core temperature rhythm which are preordained by our daily biologic (circadian) clock are phase-advanced by 3 to 4 hours.
fatigue: A state characterized by a lessened capacity for work and reduced efficiency of accomplishment, usually accompanied by a feeling of weariness and tiredness.
fragmentation: the interruption of any stage of sleep due to appearance of another stage or waking. Sleep fragmentation connotes repetitive interruptions of sleep by arousal and awakenings.
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G
gaba (gamma-amniobutyric acid): neurotransmitter in the brain, which is considered to be involved in muscle relaxation, sleep, diminished emotional reaction and sedation.
genioglossus tongue advancement: Advancement of the chin or tongue to enlarge the airway at the base of the tongue.
glossectomy: the surgical reduction or removal of the tongue, used to open the lower airway or to remove cancerous tissue.
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H
Hz (hertz): the unit of measurement for cycles per second; used to measure EEGs.
heart attack: The death of heart muscle due to the loss of blood supply. The loss of blood supply is usually caused by a complete blockage of a coronary artery, one of the arteries that supplies blood to the heart muscle.
heart rate: The number of heart beats per unit time, usually per minute. The heart rate is based on the number of contractions of the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart). The heart rate may be too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia).
hemoglobin: The oxygen-carrying pigment and predominant protein in the red blood cells.
homeostatic: the balanced state of the living body (i.e. temperature, chemistry, blood pressure, sleep and wakefulness, and so on), despite variations in the environment.
humidification: moisture is added to the airflow as an adjunct to CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy in treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Humidification can be added to the CPAP by diverting the airflow over or through a cool or heated water reservoir (humidifier) to prevent the upper airway from drying out.
hyoid bone: a C-shaped bone in the upper neck positioned above the Adam's apple with muscle attachments to the back of the tongue, as well as the sides of the lower throat.
hyoid advancement: a surgical operation in which the hyoid bone is moved forward and either attached to the Adam's apple or to the jawbone, enlarging the air space behind the tongue.
hyperactivity: A higher than normal level of activity. An organ can be described as hyperactive if it is more active than is usual. Behavior can also be described as hyperactive.
hypercapnia: excessive or elevated carbon dioxide in the blood
hypersomnia: also called excessive (daytime) sleepiness or somnolence; the inability to remain awake during an individual’s normal wake period.
hypertension: High Blood Pressure, defined as a repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90mmHg -- a systolic pressure above 140 with a diastolic pressure above 90.
hypnagogic: Concerning the drowsiness one commonly feels before sleep, the transitional state preceding sleep, and also the hallucinations that may occur at that time.
hypnagogic hallucination: A pre-sleep dream. A hypnagogic hallucination is characteristically vivid and occurs as one is falling asleep or awakening.
hypnic jerk: also called sleep starts; the sensation of falling and then a physical jerk into wakefulness, usually during Stage 1 sleep.
hypnolepsy: A neurological disorder marked by a sudden recurrent uncontrollable compulsion to sleep. Also known as narcolepsy.
hypnotic: also called a sleeping pill, sedative, or a sedative-hypnotic medication; a medication that causes drowsiness, induces sleep onset, and/or maintains sleep.
hypnotoxin: also called sleep promoting substance (SPS); the term coined by Henri Pieron in 1907 that described a sleep-inducing substance thought to be in the cerebrospinal fluid.
hypopharynx: lowermost portion of the pharynx leading to the larynx and esophagus.
hypopnea: Underbreathing, breathing that is shallower or slower than normal. Hypopnea is distinct from apnea in which there is no breathing.
hypothalamus: the region at the base of the brain involved in autonomic processes such as temperature regulation, food intake, and emotional activity, and thought to be important in the role of sleep and wakefulness.
hypoxia: Concentration of oxygen in arterial blood that is less than normal. Anoxia refers to complete lack of oxygen.
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I
idiopathic hypersomnia: a disorder of excessive sleepiness in which the affected individual sleeps longer than normal (greater than 10 hours), is excessively sleepy, falls asleep at inappropriate times, and frequently takes naps. Its exact cause is unknown.
imidazopyridines: New class of compounds inducing sleepiness. Zolpidem, trade name Ambien, is in this class.
insomnia: the inability to sleep applied to the general complaint of having trouble falling or staying asleep; insomnia is a symptom usually caused by underlying problems. See also transient, short-term, chronic, and sleep onset insomnia.
invasive: invading of healthy tissue
ipap: inspiratory positive airway pressure
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J
jet lag: A temporary disorder that causes fatigue, insomnia, and other symptoms as a result of rapid air travel across time zones.
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K
k-complex: high voltage EEG activity that consists of a sharp upward component followed by a slower downward component and lasts more than .5 seconds; required for definition of Stage 2 non-REM sleep.
kleine-levin syndrome: a disorder distinguished by recurrent hypersomnia, compulsive overeating, and hypersexuality and first described by Willi Kleine in 1925 and then by Max Levin in 1929.
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L
laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP): a surgical procedure for the treatment of habitual loud snoring or obstructive sleep apnea that involves removal of the back edge of the palate, the uvula, and if present, the tonsils.
latency period: an interval. Sleep latency is the interval from "lights out" until sleep begins. REM latency is the period from the beginning of sleep to the first appearance of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
l-dopa: also called dopaminergic agents; a dopamine-enhancing class of drugs most often used to treat Parkinson’s patients; often helpful in managing Restless Legs Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder. Examples include L-Dopa with Sinemet (carbidopa), Permax (pergolide), and Parlodel (bromocriptine).
lethargy: Abnormal drowsiness, stupor
lmn (letter of medical necessity): certification by a physician that the prescribed item(s) is/are medically indicated, reasonable and necessary with reference to the standards of medical practice and treatment of a patient's condition
light box: a commercially available, electrically-powered instrument that provides artificial light; a treatment option for patients with Seasonal Affective Disorder, Advanced Phase Sleep Disorder, or Delayed Phase Sleep Disorder.
light therapy: a treatment for various disorders including seasonal affective disorder, depression, hypersomnia, and delayed phase sleep disorder. It involves properly timed exposure to bright light to promote a normal sleep-wake cycle and decrease sleep disturbances.
lingualplasty: a surgical procedure that involves a resection of the tongue with additional removal of side wedges in order to reduce the back of the tongue and open the lower airway.
lingual tonsils: tonsil-like tissue on the back part of the tongue.
lux: a measure of light intensity; the unit used by light box manufacturers to describe light output.
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M
macroglossia: Enlarged tongue
mandible: The mandible is the bone of the lower jaw.
maxilla: The maxilla is the major bone of the upper jaw
melatonin: in nature, a hormone that is secreted by the pineal gland in the brain in response to darkness, and has been linked to regulation of circadian rhythms; a derivative of melatonin marketed as a health food supplement is commercially available
mental imagery: the process of creating images in the mind.
microsleep: a lapse from wakefulness into sleep that lasts just a few seconds.
mixed sleep apnea: the combination of central and obstructive sleep apnea.
montage: the term applied to the testing variables and their order on polysomnogram paper or a computer monitor, such EEG, EOG, heart rate, and so on.
mslt: the acronym for multiple sleep latency test; a test used to study and document excessive daytime sleepiness by way of a series of naps at two-hour intervals.
multiple sleep latency test: a test used to study and document excessive daytime sleepiness by way of a series of naps at two-hour intervals.
mwt: an acronym for the maintenance of wakefulness test, in which four 20-minute trials are, conducted every two hours and the patient is encouraged to stay awake.
myoclonus: see nocturnal myoclonus.
motor activity in sleep: any muscular movement during sleep
motor atonia: the absence of muscle activity during sleep
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N
nap: To sleep for a brief period of time, often during the day.
narcolepsy: A neurological disorder marked by a sudden recurrent uncontrollable compulsion to sleep.
nasopharynx: The area of the upper throat behind the nose
ncsdr (national commission on sleep disorders research): created in 1990 by the US Congress, the commission is tasked with providing recommendations to Congress based on comprehensive studies of the social and economic impact of sleep disorders in America.
neurological: Having to do with the nerves or the nervous system
neurotransmitter: A chemical that is released from a nerve cell which thereby transmits an impulse from a nerve cell to another nerve, muscle, organ, or other tissue. A neurotransmitter is a messenger of neurologic information from one cell to another.
nightmare: A dream causing strong feelings of fear, horror and distress.
Night Terrors: also known as sleep terrors, or pavor nocturnus. Night terrors are characterized by an incomplete arousal from slow wave sleep. If, the individual is awakened during a night terror, he/she is usually confused and does not remember details of the event. Night terrors are different from nightmares; if an individual is awakened during a nightmare, he/she functions well and may have some recall of the nightmare.
nocturia: also called nycturia; frequent urination at night that results in arousal of sleep and rising frequently to go to the bathroom. It can be caused by urological problems, infection, a tumor, or medication and has been associated with the development of obstructive sleep apnea.
nocturnal: Of, relating to, or taking place at night.
Nocturnal Confusion: episodes of delirium and/or disorientation near or during nighttime sleep; often seen in victims of Alzheimers Disease and more common in the elderly
Nocturnal sleep-related eating disorder: Getting up during the night and eating while sleepwalking. No recall in the morning.
nocturnal myoclonus: a brief rapid twitch that occurs at night as a result of a sudden contraction of one or more muscle groups; former name of Periodic Limb Movement Disorder.
non-invasive: Does not invade healthy tissue.
non-rem sleep: a state of sleep characterized by four stages that range from light dozing to deep sleep; 75% of sleep is spent in non-REM sleep. In stages 3 and 4 of NREM sleep, there is a decrease in blood pressure, muscle activity, and respiratory rate as the sleeper relaxes.
normal hypersomnia: a disorder in which the affected individual requires more sleep than normal, i.e. more than 10 hours of sleep per day, and which may be the result of a genetic predisposition. Normal hypersomniacs are also called "naturally long sleepers."
nsf (national sleep foundation): established in 1990 as an "independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving public health and safety by achieving public understanding of sleep and sleep disorders."
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O
obesity: The state of being well above ones normal weight. A person has traditionally been considered to be obese if they are more than 20 percent over their ideal weight. That ideal weight must take into account the person’s height, age, sex, and build.
obstructive sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep.
obstructive hypopnea: periodic and partial closure of the throat during sleep resulting in reduced air exchange at the level of the mouth and/or nostril.
ondine's curse: Failure from birth of central nervous system control over breathing while asleep. There are usually no breathing problems while awake. The involuntary (autonomic) control of respiration is impaired, but the voluntary control of ventilation that operates during waking hours is generally intact.
opiate: a class of codeine-derived, controlled narcotics, such as Tylenol #3, Percocet (oxycodone), Darvon (propoxyphene) and methadone; used to manage severe cases of Restless Legs Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder.
oropharynx: The area of the throat at the back of the mouth.
otolaryngology: the medical study of the ears, nose, and throat (ENT)
oxygen desaturation: less than normal amount of oxygen carried by hemoglobin in the blood; values below 90% are considered abnormal
oxygen saturation: measure of oxygen carried by hemoglobin in the blood. Normal values 90% - 100%.
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P
palate: The roof of the mouth. The front portion is bony (hard palate), and the back portion is muscular (soft palate).
paradoxical therapy: an effective therapeutic approach to conquering insomnia that asks the insomniac to do the exact opposite of trying to fall asleep.
paralysis sleep: A frightening form of paralysis that occurs when a person suddenly finds himself or herself unable to move for a few minutes, most often upon falling asleep or waking up. Sleep paralysis is due to an ill-timed disconnection between the brain and the body.
parasomnia: a term used to describe uncommon disruptive sleep-related disorders, such as sleepwalking, sleep talking, and nightmares.
paroxysmal sleep: A neurological disorder marked by a sudden recurrent uncontrollable compulsion to sleep. Also known as narcolepsy
pavor nocturnus: a term derived from Latin pavor, terror, and nocturnus, at night. See also sleep terrors.
periodic breathing: Clusters of breaths separated by intervals of apnea (no breathing) or near-apnea. As opposed to normal breathing which is usually regular
periodic limb movement disorder: also called PLMD, Periodic Limb Movement Syndrome, or PLMS; a condition in which the legs or arms twitch or move involuntarily and periodically during sleep.
periodic limb movement index: the record of the number of leg or arm movements during each hour of sleep measured by sensors placed on the legs and arms.
persistent Insomnia: continuing insomnia responding poorly to treatment.
pharyngeal: Having to do with the throat (pharynx).
pharynx: The hollow tube about 5 inches long that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (the tube that goes to the stomach).
pickwickian syndrome: the first term applied to obstructive sleep apnea, originally described by Charles Dickens in 1836. It referred to people who were excessively sleepy, loud snorers, and overweight.
pineal gland: A small gland located deep within in the brain. It is believed to secrete melatonin, and may therefore be part of the body’s sleep-regulation apparatus.
polyp: a projecting growth or mass, usually benign, that forms in a mucous membrane and in the nasal passages, causes obstructed airflow.
polysomnogram: also called a PSG, sleep study, or sleep test; a non-invasive test that records vital signs and physiology during a night of sleep. It includes measurements from an EEG, EMG, and EOG, as well as respiratory airflow, blood oxygen saturation, pulse rate, heart rate, body position, and respiratory effort.
postprandial dip: a slight drowsiness caused by a natural drop in body temperature, particularly in early afternoon and after a meal.
post-traumatic hypersomnia: a disorder of excessive sleepiness that appears within 18 months of a traumatic event involving a central nervous system-related accident.
primary snoring: snoring not associated with apnea.
pre-sleep dream: Also called a hypnagogic hallucination, this type of dream is characteristically vivid and occurs as one is falling asleep or awakening.
process C: the natural behavior and tendency, regulated by human circadian rhythms, to sleep during the "sleepy phase" of the body, usually between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
process S: also known as the homeostatic process, it is the disposition of a normal person who is sleep-deprived to become sleepy when awake, and sleep deeper and longer when sleep is achieved.
pulmonary hypertension: High blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. Normally, the pressure in the pulmonary arteries is low (compared to that in the aorta). Pulmonary hypertension can irrevocably damage the lungs.
pupillometry: the measurement of pupil diameter and activity as related to alertness or sleepiness. This test is used more for research rather than a diagnostic assessment.
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R
radio-frequency tissue ablation: a technique that uses radio-frequency waves via a needle electrode placed under the surface of the tissue, resulting in contraction and subsequent shrinkage of excessive tissues that cause snoring.
rapid eye movement sleep: Rapid eye movement sleep(REM) sleep is the portion of sleep when there are rapid eye movements (REMs).
recurrent hypersomnia: a disorder of excessive sleepiness that occurs weeks or months apart, often accompanied with other disorders such as hypersexuality or compulsive eating.
relaxation therapy: also termed relaxation imagery; various methods or techniques for the alleviation of insomnia that help to relax the mind and the body and which can facilitate sleep onset.
rem latency: the period of time in the sleep period from sleep onset to the first appearance of REM sleep.
rem onset: the designation for commencement of a REM period.
rem percent: the proportion of total sleep time constituted by the REM stage of sleep.
rem rebound or recovery: an increased amount of REM sleep for a few nights after a period of REM deprivation. REM rebound may occur after several days without sleep, or upon withdrawal from certain drugs, including some sleeping pills, that suppresses REM sleep. Disturbing dreams may reflect increased amounts of REM sleep.
rem sleep: also known as "paradoxical" sleep, this state of sleep is characterized by rapid eye movement (REM), muscle paralysis, and irregular breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Dreaming takes place during REM sleep.
respiration: Respiration is the act of inhaling and exhaling air in order to exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide.
Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP): specifically trained cardiopulmonary licensed health care professional.
restless leg syndrome (RLS): An uncomfortable, creeping or crawling sensation in the calves that occurs while sitting or while lying down. Restless leg syndrome is a common cause of painful legs. The leg pain of restless leg syndrome typically eases with motion of the legs and becomes more noticeable at rest. Restless leg syndrome also features worsening of symptoms during the early evening or later at night. The characteristic nighttime worsening of symptoms in persons with restless legs syndrome frequency leads to insomnia.
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