While the presence of Islam in West Africa dates back to eighth century, the spread of the faith in regions that are now the modern states of Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali and Nigeria, was in actuality, a gradual and complex process.
Hypoventilation is a condition that arises when air entering the alveoli, small air sacs in the lungs that are the site of respiratory gas exchange, is reduced. This causes levels of oxygen to decrease and the levels of carbon dioxide to increase.
During episodes of apnea though, where the body forcibly slows or shuts down breathing entirely in spurts, this can lead to dangerously high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, and could lead to death in the most serious cases. Hypoventilation can be caused by numerous factors. These may be caused by natural obstructions in the airway, or resistances to sufficient airflow. These are commonly brought on by other medical conditions that result in lower airway obstruction, including emphysema, cystic fibrosis and bronchitis.