Types of Sleep Apnea

 

 What unites them is an occasional pause in breathing. Each type has an “apnea”; this means breathing stops for more than 10 seconds. During these pauses, the airflow doesn’t get to the brain and wakes us up several times a night. Different types of sleep apnea have different lengths and numbers of pauses. In some cases, our brain doesn’t send an alert to wake us up and this is a concern. Being aware of the types of sleep apnea and their differences is the first step towards resolving the problem.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)


Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the most common form of Sleep Apnea and is a sleep disorder in which the soft tissues of the mouth and throat expand and relax during sleep. The relaxed muscles can block the airway, preventing air from reaching the lungs. This, in turn, lowers the blood oxygen content and can cause the user to wake up gasping or choking for breath.
Over the course of the night, the process repeats itself, and as a result, the person doesn’t get very good sleep.

  • Mild OSA- The sufferer experiences 5-14 episodes of interruptions in breathing in an hour.

  • Moderate OSA- The sufferer experiences 15-30 episodes of interruptions in breathing in an hour.

  • Severe OSA- The sufferer experiences 30 or more interruptions in breathing in an hour.

An over-night sleep test to evaluate your sleep quality and breathing during sleep.

Common Symptoms and Cause of Obstructive Sleep Apnea:
  • Obsesity
  • Hypertension
  • Daytime Sleepiness
  • Loud Snoring 
  • Frequent Waking Up to Urinate
  • Enlarged Tonsils or Adenoids
  •  Morning Headaches
  • Restless Sleep
  • Depression or Irritability
Health Risk and Effect of Untreated Sleep Apnea:
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Stroke
  • Heart Disease 
  • Diabetes
  • Depression 
  • Worsening of ADHA
  • Poor Memory
  • Poor Concentration
  • Weaken Immune System

Treatment

Positive airway pressure (PAP) Therapy

Oral Appliances

  • Mandibular advancement devices (MADs)
  • Tongue retaining mouthpieces

Surgery

  • Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
  • Adenotonsillectomy
  • Nasal Surgery
  • Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA)

Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea (CSA) occurs when the brain temporarily fails to signal the muscles responsible for controlling breathing. Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, which can be thought of as a mechanical problem, central sleep apnea is more of a communication problem.

Central sleep apnea is also much less common that obstructive sleep apnea. Some estimates claim that approximately 20% of sleep apnea cases are CSA, but many others believe that number to be much lower.

Central sleep apnea is often caused by medical problems and conditions that affect the brainstem. These different causes often lead to varying symptoms and different types of central sleep apnea.

Health Risk and Effect of Untreated Central Apnea:
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke
  • Obesity
  • Structural Brainstem Lesion
  • Fatigue
  • Cardiovascular Problems

 

 

 Treatment

Treatments for central sleep apnea may include:

  • Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
  • Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV)
  • Bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP)
  • Supplemental oxygen
  • Medications. 

    A regular GOOD SLEEP is important for your physical and mental health. Speak to your doctor if you are facing sleep problem, request for a Sleep Test if you suspect yourself having Sleep Apnea.


    We Are Medbitz Pte Ltd. Tel: 65 8877 0191