You already know that sleep apnea is a potentially serious disorder in which the patient stops breathing for a few seconds several times during the night. Yet, did you know that there are three main types of sleep apnea?
Continue reading because we will explain each one of them!
The Three Types of Sleep Apnea
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) : The most common type of sleep apnea, characterized by the obstruction of the upper airways during sleep. Usually, this obstruction is accompanied by a decrease in blood oxygen saturation, followed by a brief awakening during the night to breathe. When this happens, the patient may start snoring louder or make sounds indicating severe upper airway obstruction. The main cause of this apnea is the obstruction of the airway. Conditions such as obesity, enlarged tonsils, neck circumference, and craniofacial alterations may lead to the development of this disorder.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) : This type of apnea occurs due to a communication failure between the brain and the airways. In these cases, the muscles responsible for breathing do not receive the signal to breathe, and therefore, they remain static. What happens is not an interruption in breathing, but rather the airways do not attempt to breathe because they do not receive the order to do so. This is usually due to a neurological disorder, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It can also arise due to brain damage, such as that caused by encephalitis, stroke, and injuries, among others. This type of apnea can also be connected to cardiovascular problems, hypothyroidism, kidney failure, or the use of certain medications.
- Complex Sleep Apnea : This third type of sleep apnea is a combination of central and obstructive sleep apnea factors that take place on the same sleep apnea episode. It is not a common type of sleep apnea.
The Importance of Appropriate Diagnosis
The diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea is both simple and necessary. The Biologix Sleep Test® is a type IV polysomnography that can be conducted at home using only your cellphone and a wireless compact sensor. Therefore, it does not alter the patient’s sleep routine. The patient just needs to place the sensor on their finger before going to sleep and start the test on the Biologix app. When waking up the next morning, they tap on “Finish test”, and they will receive their results in a matter of seconds.
To have a proper diagnosis of sleep apnea, the patient must seek a sleep specialist who will indicate a sleep test. By doing so, the patient will receive proper treatment for their specific case.
IMPORTANT! Only properly qualified physicians and dental surgeons can diagnose diseases, recommend treatments and prescribe medications. The information available herein is for educational purposes only..
