Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder defined as the cessation of breath during sleep. This leads to reduced oxygen flow and poor sleep quality. 

When oxygen levels dip during sleep apnea, the brain signals the body to partially wake up. The person's sleep is disturbed and he is never allowed to sink into deep, restorative sleep stages. People with severe sleep apnea can go through this process hundreds of times each night. Often, people do not remember this happening and think that they have slept as normal. However, they wake up feeling exhausted, groggy, and unrested. 

People suffering from sleep apnea deal with not only the negative effects of sleep deprivation, but also the strain of trying to cope with oxygen deprivation at night. This puts serious strain on the brain, the heart, and the rest of the body. 

What physically happens during sleep apnea? 

During obstructive sleep apnea--the most common form of sleep apnea--tissue in the back of the throat collapses into the airway, blocking the breath. This soft tissue includes the tongue, soft palate, tonsils, and adenoids. When you fall asleep, your throat muscles relax, which can cause the tissue to sag into your throat. When the airway is entirely blocked, an apnea occurs. 

Read below to learn about the other types of sleep apnea. 

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep apnea, affecting about 18 million Americans and accounting for about 80% of sleep apnea cases. It is caused by a physical obstruction of the airway during sleep when the tissue in the back of the throat collapses. This makes it difficult or impossible for the sleeper to breathe, which in turn causes a partial awakening and disrupted sleep This leads sufferers to snore loudly or make choking noises during sleep. In other words, people with OSA have a "mechanical" problem with the tissue in their mouth and throat blocking the passage of air.

Central Sleep Apnea

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) occurs when the brain fails to signal the body to breathe. CSA is a neurological problem. Patients with this condition are physically able to breathe, except their brain is not telling them to do so. This causes carbon dioxide to build up in the body and oxygen levels to dip. Oftentimes (but not always), CSA is associated with other serious medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, kidney failure, or neurological diseases like Parkinson's disease. 

Mixed Sleep Apnea 

"Mixed" or "complex" sleep apnea is a combination of obstructive sleep apnea (anatomical) and central sleep apnea (neurological). It can be explained as a central event that turns into an obstructive event.