Dapnée

Dapnée is a rarely used term that is generally considered a variant or misspelling of the French word apnée, meaning a cessation or reduction of breathing. In medical contexts the established term is apnée, and it appears in two broad domains: sleep-related breathing disturbances and voluntary breath-hold diving.

Apnée du sommeil, or sleep apnea, is a disorder characterized by recurrent interruptions of breathing during sleep. These interruptions lead to reduced blood oxygen levels and fragmented sleep, which can cause daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and reduced concentration. There are three main types: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), caused by a physical blockage of the upper airway; central sleep apnea (CSA), due to instability in the breathing control centers of the brain; and a combination of both (mixed apnea). Risk factors include obesity, older age, male sex, and certain craniofacial features.

Diving-related apnée, often referred to as apnea in the context of freediving, describes voluntary breath-holding techniques used by divers. Apnea in this sense is intentional and practiced for sport or survival diving. It carries risks such as hypoxia, shallow-water blackout, and barotrauma, and is typically approached with training, safety protocols, and supervision.

Diagnosis of sleep apnea is usually made through sleep studies, such as polysomnography, which monitor respiratory events, oxygen saturation, and sleep stages. Treatments vary by type and severity and can include lifestyle changes, weight loss, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, or surgical options. For freediving apnea, assessment focuses on training, conditioning, and safety practices rather than a medical diagnosis.

Overall, dapnée is not a standard term in contemporary medical literature; when precision is required, apnée and its subtype terms are preferred.