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 breathing was originally thought to arise from serious neurologic or cardiovascular disease and therefore to carry a poor outlook. It is now known that periodic breathing also tends to occur during sleep, it can occur in healthy persons, and the apnea in periodic breathing is usually central (without respiratory movements) rather than obstructive (caused by upper-airway blockage).
Periodic breathing during sleep occurs typically in patients with congestive heart failure.
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- Periodic fever
Recurrences of fever that last from a few days to a few weeks and are separated by symptom-free intervals of varying duration. This pattern of fever can be caused by recurrent infection, malignancy or noninfectious inflammatory disorders. Periodic fever that lasts for more than two years is rarely due to a malignancy or an infection. […]
- Periodontal
Having to do with the gums and supporting structures of the teeth.
- Periodontal disease
A bacterial infection that destroys the attachment fibers and supporting bones that hold the teeth in the mouth. Left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on teeth.
- Periodontics
The branch of dentistry that is concerned with prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that affect the gums and supporting structures of the teeth.
- Periodontitis
Gum disease. The word “periodontitis” literally means “inflammation around the tooth.” Periodontitis and all periodontal diseases are bacterial infections that destroy the attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold the teeth in the mouth. Left untreated, these diseases can lead to tooth loss. The main cause of periodontal disease is a bacterial plaque, a sticky, […]