Understanding The Different Types of Sleep Apnea

Did you know that you could have different types and stages of sleep apnea? They can range anywhere from mild to severe cases of sleep apnea. It all depends on the way your body stops breathing and how many times you stop breathing within an hour of sleep. Let’s take a look at the two primary types of sleep apnea and how you can differentiate between them.

What Are The Three Types Of Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The most common form that occurs. This is when your throat muscles relax for up to 10 seconds, causing you to stop breathing.

Central Sleep Apnea
This happens when your brain doesn’t tell your body that it needs to breathe.

Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome
This is also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, which occurs when your throat relaxes AND your brain doesn’t communicate to the muscles that allow you to breathe.

The Difference Between Apnea and Hypopnea

Hypopnea is similar to apnea but less severe. Apnea is when there is no oxygen entering your body, due to the relaxation of the muscles in your throat, nose, and mouth. When those muscles relax, they block the airways for 10 seconds or fewer. You’ll wake up to breathe and start the cycle over.

Hypopnea is when your breathing is too shallow or too slow. With hypopnea, there isn’t enough oxygen being supplied to your lungs. As a result of apnea and hypopnea, carbon dioxide levels in the blood increase and oxygen levels decrease. In both cases, there isn’t enough oxygen going to the brain, which alerts the body to wake up.

How Severe Is My Apnea?

Sleep apnea can range from mild to severe cases, depending on the number of sleep events per hour. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) is a scale to measure the seriousness of your sleep apnea. If you haven’t taken a sleep study (your physician or a sleep specialist can refer you to a sleep center), then you may not be aware of what your AHI number is.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Normal sleep apnea: fewer than 5 events per hour

• Mild sleep apnea: 5-14 events per hour

• Moderate sleep apnea: 15-29 events per hour

• Severe sleep apnea: 30 or more events per hour

If you have a moderate or severe AHI score, you may be prescribed a CPAP machine to prevent sleep apnea events while you sleep. Another recommendation that your doctor may suggest is lifestyle changes, like losing weight, exercising, quitting smoking, and sleeping on your side or stomach. Make sure to see your doctor if you think you have any form or type of sleep apnea.

Detecting sleep apnea, no matter the type of sleep apnea, can help ease your symptoms--and help prevent heart problems or other complications down the road.

Treatment Options for Different Types of Sleep Apnea

Treating sleep apnea depends on the type of sleep apnea you have and the severity of your condition. The goal is to keep your airway open while you sleep, ensuring you get enough oxygen throughout the night. Below are the most common treatment options for sleep apnea.

CPAP Therapy

For many people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common treatment is a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine. This device delivers a steady flow of air through a mask to keep your airway open during sleep. CPAP is highly effective for treating moderate to severe OSA, ensuring that you experience fewer apnea episodes.

Lifestyle Changes

In mild cases or as a supplement to CPAP therapy, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes such as:

- Losing weight

- Exercising regularly

- Quitting smoking

- Reducing alcohol intake

- Sleeping on your side or stomach

These changes can help reduce symptoms and improve your overall health, which may lessen the severity of your sleep apnea.

Oral Appliances

For some individuals, a dentist or orthodontist may recommend an oral appliance that repositions the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open. This is a good option for those with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea or for those who find CPAP therapy uncomfortable.

Treatment for Central Sleep Apnea

If you are diagnosed with central sleep apnea (CSA), where your brain doesn’t signal the muscles to breathe, treatment may differ from OSA. BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) or adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) machines are often used to support breathing during sleep.

Surgery

In cases where CPAP therapy or other treatments aren't effective, surgical options may be considered. Surgeries aim to remove tissue blocking the airway or to reposition structures in the throat, nose, or mouth to help with airflow.

Regardless of the type of sleep apnea you have, it's important to consult with your doctor to find the best treatment plan that works for your specific needs.

Living with Sleep Apnea

If you suspect you have a type of sleep apnea, it is best to reach out to your healthcare practitioner or try an at home sleep test to determine the presence of sleep apnea and get the treatment you need to restore your rest.

FAQS about Sleep Apnea Types

1. What are the different types of sleep apnea?
There are three main types of sleep apnea: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Central Sleep Apnea (CSA), and Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome. OSA occurs when throat muscles relax, CSA happens when the brain fails to send signals to breathe, and Complex Sleep Apnea is a combination of both.

2. How do I know which type of sleep apnea I have?
A sleep study, often referred to as a polysomnogram, is required to diagnose which type of sleep apnea you have. Your doctor or sleep specialist will analyze the results to determine whether you have obstructive, central, or complex sleep apnea.

3. What is the difference between obstructive and central sleep apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is caused by a physical blockage of the airway, while Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) is due to a lack of communication between the brain and the muscles that control breathing.

4. How is sleep apnea treated?
The most common treatments include CPAP therapy, oral appliances, lifestyle changes, and surgery. Treatment for sleep apnea depends on the severity of your condition and the type you have.

5. Can lifestyle changes help with sleep apnea?
Yes, lifestyle changes such as losing weight, quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and sleeping on your side can help reduce symptoms, especially in mild cases of obstructive sleep apnea.

6. What happens if sleep apnea is left untreated?
If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health complications such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It can also significantly impact your quality of life due to poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue.

7. How do I know if I have sleep apnea?
Common symptoms include loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, frequent waking, morning headaches, and excessive daytime sleepiness. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, it's important to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis.