TYPES OF SLEEP APNEA
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Most common form of sleep apnea
The airway becomes blocked by the tongue, excess tissue or relaxed throat muscles
Breathing usually stops for 10-90 seconds
The body struggles for air briefly waking the sleeper
Person may wake hundreds of times a night but not remember​
Central Sleep Apnea
Is rare
Usually affects adults over age 60
The brain "forgets" to tell the breathing muscles to move
The lack of oxygen causes the brain to wake the sleeper
Mixed Sleep Apnea​
Involves breif periods of central sleep apnea followed by longer periods of obstructive sleep apnea
WARNING SIGNS
Loud snoring followed by a breathless pause and ending with a snort or gasp
Gasping or choking episodes of stopped breathing while asleep
Witnessed episodes of stopped breathing while asleep
Restless movements
High blood pressure
Morning headache or nausea
Impotence
Problems with memory, trouble concentrating, irritable anxious, or depressed
Falling asleep at inappropriate times, such as at work or while driving
Extreme tiredness or excessive sleepiness (from frequent interruption of sleep)
RISKS
Irregular heartbeat
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Heart attack
Stroke
Depression
*The use of alcohol or sleeping pills can make sleep apnea worse*
Loss productivity
Accident
TREATMENT
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.
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.
Other Treatments: Weight Loss, Positional Sleeping, Dental Appliances, Medication, Surgery.