Types of Sleep Apnea
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
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Most common form of sleep apnea
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The airway becomes blocked by the tongue, excess tissue or relaxed throat muscles
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Breathing usually stops for 10-90 seconds
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The body struggles for air briefly waking the sleeper
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Person may wake hundreds of times a night but not remember
Central Sleep Apnea
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Is rare
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Usually affects adults over age 60
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The brain "forgets" to tell the breathing muscles to move
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The lack of oxygen causes the brain to wake the sleeper
Mixed Sleep Apnea
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Involves breif periods of central sleep apnea followed by longer periods of obstructive sleep apnea
Warning Signs
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Loud snoring followed by a breathless pause and ending with a snort or gasp
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Gasping or choking episodes of stopped breathing while asleep
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Witnessed episodes of stopped breathing while asleep
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Restless movements
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High blood pressure
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Morning headache or nausea
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Impotence
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Problems with memory, trouble concentrating, irritable anxious, or depressed
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Falling asleep at inappropriate times, such as at work or while driving
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Extreme tiredness or excessive sleepiness (from frequent interruption of sleep)
RISKS
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Irregular heartbeat
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High blood pressure
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Heart disease
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Heart attack
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Stroke
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Depression
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Loss productivity
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Accident
Note: The use of alcohol or sleeping pills can worsen sleep apnea symptoms.
Treatment
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A CPAP machine delivers a prescribed constant pressure of air when you breathe in and out through a mask placed over the nose and/or mouth.
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A BiPAP machine delivers a prescribed pressure when you breathe in and it drops to a lower pressure when you breathe out, providing more comfort that a constant pressure.
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Other Treatments: Weight Loss, Positional Sleeping, Dental Appliances, Medication, Surgery.