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Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
The most common type of Sleep Apnea, OSA, is the result of a blockage of the airway that prevents normal breathing. These blockages occur as the muscles and tongue supporting the airway relax and collapse into the airway, partially or completely obstructing the flow of air. An individual's anatomical differences such as a narrow airway, large or wide tongue or obesity may make the problem worse.
Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
A less common type of sleep apnea, Central Sleep Apnea (also known as "Cheyne-Stokes respiration") is a disorder in which breathing also repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to lack of respiratory effort. However, unlike Obstructive Sleep Apnea, CSA occurs when the brain does not send a signal to the muscles that control breathing. With central apnea, the body makes no effort to breathe, even when there is a critical decrease in the oxygen level in the blood and the heart rate increases.
Complex Sleep Apnea
Complex Sleep Apnea is a form of sleep apnea that occurs while the patient uses a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bilevel device. Central apneas emerge or persist during treatment of the obstructive events, and fragmented sleep results. Patients with this form of sleep apnea may be treated successfully with an adaptive-servo ventilator device.
