Breathing can stop for more than ten seconds without you noticing. It’s a common ailment affecting all age groups, including newborns and adults. Untreated sleep apnea may force people to wake up or feel tired during the day. The most severe cases could result in dangerous conditions and even death.
Sleep apnea affects roughly 12% of men and 6% of women in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This article will help you learn about the different types of sleep apnea, their causes, and effective treatment options.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder indicated by temporary pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep. It occurs when soft tissues in the throat relax and block the airway. This causes someone to stop breathing for short periods of time and wake up with a choking or gasping sound. The brain detects this lack of oxygen and sends signals to resume breathing, which results in loud snoring. People with sleep apnea may also experience headaches, high blood pressure, excessive daytime sleepiness, and heart disease.
Read also: Is Sleep Apnea Genetic?
Types of Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
OSA is the most prevalent form of sleep apnea. It occurs when the airway relaxes and narrows, blocking airflow and causing patients to experience pauses in breathing during sleep. OSA can also cause loud snoring and difficulty staying asleep.
Causes
Some common causes of obstructive sleep apnea include:
- Relaxation of tongue and throat muscles leading to airway obstruction.
- Physical factors (e.g., narrow airway, enlarged tonsils).
- Excess weight and obesity.
- Age and hormonal factors.
- Alcohol, sedative use, and smoking.
Diagnosis
The most common diagnostic test for OSA is a sleep study, commonly known as polysomnography. Several indicators are observed during an overnight sleep study, including brain waves, heart rate, breathing effort, and blood oxygen levels. This information assists healthcare providers in determining the severity of the problem and the best treatment plan. Home sleep apnea tests (HSAT) are also available in some instances.
Treatment
Treatment options may include:
- Lifestyle changes like weight loss or changes in sleep position.
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy.
- Oral appliances to reposition the jaw and tongue and open the airway during sleep.
- Surgery to remove airway obstructions like tonsillectomy or uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.
Central sleep apnea (CSA)
CSA is mainly about brain activity. It occurs when the brain of a sleep apnea patient fails to send signals to the muscles involved in breathing. Unlike OSA, there may not be any obstruction in the airway.
Causes
CSA can be caused by the following:
- The inability of the brain to send signals to breathing muscles.
- Medical conditions affecting the brainstem, like neurological disorders.
- Certain drugs like opioids.
- Cheyne-Stokes respiration in congestive heart failure.
- High altitude and medical conditions affecting the respiratory drive.
Diagnosis
Polysomnography is done to help identify the absence of respiratory effort during sleep. Additionally, other tests may be conducted to determine the underlying cause of central sleep apnea, such as blood tests and imaging studies.
Treatment
Treatment options for CSA may include:
- Adaptive servo-ventilation device (ASV) therapy.
- Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) therapy.
- Oxygen therapy for certain cases.
- Treatment of underlying medical conditions.
- Adjustment on medication
Mixed Sleep Apnea (MA)
This is a combination of obstructive and central apneas, and it is sometimes referred to as Complex Sleep Apnea (CompSA). It is characterized by the development of central sleep apnea after initiating treatment for obstructive sleep apnea with CPAP therapy.
Causes
Although the specific causes of mixed sleep apnea are unknown, some risk factors may contribute to its development. Obesity, smoking, family history, hormone imbalances, and some medical issues are among these risk factors.
Diagnosis
Your sleep specialist may also recommend a sleep study, which can be conducted in a sleep lab or in the comfort of your home using portable monitoring devices. This study will monitor your breathing patterns, heart rate, brain activity, and oxygen levels during sleep to determine the presence and severity of mixed sleep apnea.
Treatment
The treatment for mixed sleep apnea can be the same approach as OSA and CSA since they target both forms of sleep apnea.
Tips for Better Sleep
- Sleep on your side instead of your back to help prevent airway collapse and improve breathing.
- Elevate your bed’s head or use a wedge pillow to prevent airway obstruction and snoring.
- Keeping a healthy body weight through a well-balanced diet and regular exercise diet can help with symptoms of sleep apnea.
- Quit smoking, as smoking can increase inflammation in the airway and worsen symptoms of sleep apnea.
- Limit screen time before bedtime since blue light from electronic gadgets might reduce sleep quality.
- Manage stress through relaxation techniques, meditation, or engaging in things you enjoy.
- Get regular physical activity, but avoid vigorous exercise close to bedtime.
- Practice nasal irrigation or use nasal decongestants if you have nasal congestion, as clear nasal passages can improve breathing.
- Avoid alcohol, sedatives, and heavy meals close to bedtime, as they can relax the throat muscles and worsen sleep apnea.
Get Expert Sleep Apnea Treatment at Garza DDS
Sleep apnea can impact people of all ages, from children to older adults, and it is often associated with various health issues, such as high blood pressure and heart diseases. Identifying your specific type of sleep apnea is essential for developing the most effective treatment plan – and that’s where Garza DDS excels. Trust the expertise of Dr. John Garza, the most trusted sleep apnea dentist in Gilbert, Arizona. Call our office now at 480-674-4966 to learn how we can help you.