pneo-, -pnea, -pneic, -pnoea, -pnoeic, -pneo +

The momentary suspension of breathing or the absence of breathing: After completing the tests regarding Janet's sleeping difficulties during the night, Dr. Mathews told Janet that she had a condition of sleep apnea and she should definitely start treatment immediately.

Related to the transient cessation of breathing: An apneic disorder can arise due to an interruption of the flow of air through the nose or mouth because of an obstruction or narrowing of the trachea.

Apneic episodes can occur during sleep at night.

An abnormal respiratory pattern consisting of a gasping inhalation succeeded by ineffectual exhalation: Apneusis can proceed to the point of asphyxia and is thought to be linked to lesions in the respiratory part of the brain.

An abnormal slowness of respiration: Because Chuck noticed a low respiratory frequency when breathing, he went to his doctor who diagnosed him as having a case of bradypnea.

The normal rate of respirations (breaths per minute) depends on a number of factors, including the age of the individual and the degree of exertion.

Relating to, or characterized by a shortness of breath, a subjective difficulty or distress in breathing, usually associated with a disease of the heart or lungs: Dyspneic, or labored breathing, occurs normally during intense physical exertion, at high altitude, or because of being overweight.

Easy, free, relaxed respiration: Following Ruth's yearly physical check-up at her doctor's office, she talked to Dr. Thompson who said she was completely healthy, including her eupnea, which was very good.

Eupnea is the type of breathing observed in a normal individual under resting conditions.

Breathing that is deeper and more rapid than is normal at rest. Examples of hyperpnea are panting, gasping, a symptom of fever, and/or convulsive breathing.

A temporary suspension of breathing during sleep; sleep apnea: Janet's husband noticed during the night that his wife had intervals of not breathing when sleeping. Following her examination at her doctor's office, she was told that she had a condition of hypnoapnea that should be treated at once!

Breathing that is shallower, and/or slower, than normal: Hypopnea is characterized by frequent pauses or cessations of air flow in breathing while sleeping during the night.

Shortness of breath experienced when lying down: Orthopnea is a difficult breathing process that is partially, or wholly, relieved by an erect sitting or standing position and associated with various cardiac or respiratory disorders.

Orthopnea can also be explained as the ability to breathe easily only in an upright or sitting position, and the discomfort in breathing is brought on or aggravated by lying down.

Dyspnea while lying down, due to obesity; piothophea: Chuck had difficulty breathing in any but the erect posture and went to see his doctor who said that this ailment, called pimelorthopnea, was due to being so much overweight and that he must go on a strict diet to lose weight.

Dyspnea while lying down; orthopnea: Piorthopnea refers to the difficulty and painfulness of breathing except in the erect posture, like standing or sitting, and is due to obesity.

Difficulty in breathing when erect: Celia had difficulty in inhaling and exhaling when standing or sitting and noticed that this condition was relieved by recumbency, or by lying flat down. Her doctor said that she had a case of platypnea that should be treated quickly.

The science or study of breathing: Judy was very interested in medicine and learned that pneodynamics referred to the forces and action concerning respiration.

The complete respiratory tract, considered as a specialized portion of the intestinal tract: In the most general meaning, pneogaster involves air passages, such as the lungs, windpipes, etc.