The 3 Types of Sleep Apnea

You may not even know you have it, but you’ll bed partner or family member will certainly hear it.

Sleep apnea is a common sleeping disorder where an individual may have pauses in breathing or shallow breath while sleeping.

This chronic ongoing disorder can consistently disrupt sleep and make you feel tired and fatigued throughout the day. Addtionally, most sleep apnea goes undiagnosed as only a bed partner will only be able to identify it.

There are 3 Types of Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, which is when an individual tries to breathe, any air that squeezes past the blockage can cause loud snoring.

Central Sleep Apnea

Although central sleep apnea is less common, it can be a risky sleeping disorder. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, this disorder occurs if the area of your brain that controls your breathing doesn’t send the correct signals to your breathing muscles. As a result, you’ll make no effort to breathe for brief periods. Snoring typically doesn’t happen with central sleep apnea.

Mixed apnea and complex sleep apnea

This is a combination of the two types of sleep apnea. This can caused when the obstructive sleep apnea is severe, which can result in periods of central sleep apnea.

There are ways to help rid yourself of sleep apnea such as making lifestyle changes, using mouthpieces, surgery, and breathing devices, which can successfully treat sleep apnea in many people.

If you think you suffer from sleep apnea, it is recommended to consult a doctor. According to the Mayo Clinic, treatment is necessary to avoid heart problems and other complications.