Health Editor
Geraldine Ohonba
Sleep apnea is not a one-size-fits-all condition. While it is commonly associated with loud snoring and pauses in breathing, doctors recognize that there are different types, each with distinct causes and characteristics. Understanding these types is crucial because the right diagnosis determines the right treatment. The three main forms are Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Central Sleep Apnea (CSA), and Complex or Mixed Sleep Apnea Syndrome (CompSAS).
1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
This is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much during sleep, causing the airway to narrow or collapse. When this happens, breathing temporarily stops, often followed by gasping, choking, or loud snoring as the body struggles to restore airflow.
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Causes: Obesity, enlarged tonsils, nasal congestion, or structural issues in the airway.
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Risks: Daytime fatigue, cardiovascular problems, and increased accident risk due to poor sleep quality.
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Treatment: CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy is the standard treatment, though weight loss, oral appliances, and sometimes surgery may help.
2. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
Unlike OSA, central sleep apnea isn’t caused by a blocked airway. Instead, it occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. In CSA, breathing simply stops because the body “forgets” to breathe for several seconds.
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Causes: Heart failure, stroke, certain medications (like opioids), or neurological disorders.
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Risks: CSA can lead to dangerously low oxygen levels, poor sleep quality, and serious complications if untreated.
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Treatment: Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV), oxygen therapy, or treating the underlying health condition often improves CSA.
3. Complex or Mixed Sleep Apnea Syndrome (CompSAS)
Also called “treatment-emergent central sleep apnea,” this condition is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea. It usually appears in patients who are initially treated for OSA with CPAP therapy but then develop central apnea episodes as well.
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Causes: A combination of airway blockage and improper brain signaling.
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Risks: Increased difficulty in treatment since both physical obstruction and neurological misfiring need to be addressed.
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Treatment: Careful adjustment of CPAP or advanced therapies like ASV are often required.
