Sleep apnea is very common amongst all people from all walks of life, especially during these modern times, and thus gives them difficulty on how to fall asleep. It may simply be defined as the absence or abnormal interruptions of breathing during sleep. Most are not aware however that it has two main types which have very different origin and cause – Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) or Central Sleep Apnea (CSA), and a third type being a mixture of the two, or the Mixed Sleep Apnea.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA, has its origin on the airway itself, meaning there is a blockage on the air passage at the back of the throat. This is very common and is usually evidenced by snoring. In this situation, the airway becomes narrow and causes a gasping sensation. It further results in shallow wakefulness, and people can have fragmented or interrupted sleep throughout the night. This can be treated easily by some modifications in the bed or pillow, as well as different breathing exercises.
Central Sleep Apnea, or CSA, on the other hand, is the more serious type, as it has something to do with the failure of the brain to send orders to the nerves to your body to breathe. This condition can mean that the brain’s control in the respiratory processes is impaired, and thus can mean more serious problems such as stroke or paralysis of that area of the brain.
Mixed Sleep Apnea, is the combination of both the obstructive and central type of sleep apnea. This one is serious, and requires a more personal level of treatment in order to overcome.
Periodic sleep studies and checkups are needed if you have such conditions, that’s why in order to prevent having more complications caused by these functional failures, make sure you get help if you are experiencing any problems related to that now.