Sleep apnea is a condition where your sleep is interrupted because you stop breathing. In some cases it can happen hundreds of times in one night. Each episode can last for few seconds or longer then one minute. If you do not get a good night's sleep on a regular basis you may develop health problems. A lack of sleep can affect your ability to work and function in daily life. Understanding the three different types of sleep apnea will allow you to play an active role in your care and help you fully manage your condition.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The American Sleep Apnea Association states that the most common form of this condition is called obstructive sleep apnea or OSA. This condition occurs when your airway becomes partly blocked or closed off completely. This blockage or closure can occur because the throat muscles relax or your tongue blocks the opening. It can also occur due to obesity when pads of fat block your airway when you lie down. When your airway becomes blocked, your breathing may become shallow or stop all together. When a little bit of air does get through, it may cause a loud snoring or snorting sound. As you take in less air, your level of blood oxygen drops. This change tells your brain to send the necessary signals to disrupt your sleep so you can begin breathing again. You may find that you gasp as breathing resumes. This pattern can repeat itself throughout the night.
Central Sleep Apnea
If you have central sleep apnea, then your airway remains open. You stop breathing because the brain fails to signal the muscles you need to breathe. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, since signals are not being sent to your breathing muscles "You make no effort to breathe for brief periods." One other distinction is that you do not tend to snore with central sleep apnea. The Mayo Clinic states that this type of sleep apnea can be caused by other conditions such as heart failure and stroke. Sleeping at a high altitude also may cause central sleep apnea. The National Institutes of Health suggest that this form of sleep apnea is most common in those with life-threatening problems within the brain stem which is where breathing is controlled. As a result, any disease or injury affecting this area may result in problems with normal breathing during sleep or when awake.
Mixed Sleep Apnea
With mixed sleep apnea, a combination of the two events occurs. According to the National Sleep Foundation, if the condition is left untreated, symptoms of sleep apnea can include disturbed sleep, excessive sleepiness during the day, high blood pressure, heart attack, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, stroke or depression. Since sleep apnea in any form can be life threatening, seek treatment as early as possible.
