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Narcolepsy Intrusion of REM sleep into wakefulness; Onset of deepest sleep in a rapid, overwhelming fashion; The prevalence of narcolepsy has been calculated at about 0.03% of the general population
Nasal Irrigation The process of cleaning nasal and sinus passages with saline solution (sterile salt water); Helps keep nasal and sinus passages open so they drain properly and breathing through nose is easier (i.e. RinoFlow system)
Nebulizer A machine that makes medicine into a fine spray or aerosol so that it can be breathed into the lungs
Negative End Expiratory Pressure (NEEP) The application of sub-atmospheric pressure to the airway during the expiratory phase of positive pressure ventilation
Negative Inspiratory Force (NIF) The negative pressure generated during a maximally forced inspiratory effort against an obstruction to flow
Nocturnal Sleep Indicative of the typical "nighttime," or major, sleep period dictated by one's circadian rhythm of sleep and wakefulness; The conventional time for sleeping
Non-Rapid Eye Movement Sleep (NREMS) NREMS, also written as non-REMS made up of stages 1, 2, 3 and 4
Noninvasive Treatment or therapy provided to patient without entering the body in any way; For example, in Noninvasive Ventilation, breathing assistance is provided by a comfortable mask, used mostly during sleep, avoiding the use of a breathing tube inserted into the throat
Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NPPV) Positive pressure ventilation provided without endotracheal tube intubation or tracheostomy, usually via a form fitting nasal mask
Nosocomial Pneumonia An inflammation of the lungs from an infection acquired in the hospital

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