Sleep apnea

• Sleep apnea is a condition that causes your breathing to stop repeatedly while you’re asleep
• Two types of sleep apnea exist, called obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea
• Sleep apnea treatments focus on relieving your symptoms and treating underlying medical conditions. 

Sleep apnea is a condition that affects your breathing. It can be caused by an obstruction of your upper airway, or by an issue with certain centers in the brain. Getting diagnosed with sleep apnea and receiving the appropriate treatment is important, as the condition can decrease your quality of life, cause complications, and decrease your overall life expectancy if left untreated. 

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes your breathing to be interrupted repeatedly while you’re asleep. Two different types of sleep apnea exist, being obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. This condition can have an effect on your quality of life, and can also lead to other medical conditions, regardless of which type of sleep apnea you’re suffering from. This makes it important to see a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing any of the signs of sleep apnea. 

There are two different types of sleep apnea: 1

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep apnea. It is caused by something blocking your upper airway. 
• Central sleep apnea (CSA) is less common and is caused by an issue with the center of your brain responsible for controlling your airway and chest muscles. 

The causes of sleep apnea depend on which type of sleep apnea you’re suffering from. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by something blocking your upper airway. This may be due to obesity, enlarged tonsils, or certain medical conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, and myasthenia gravis. 2 3

Central sleep apnea is caused by an issue with certain centers in the brain responsible for your breathing. These centers can be affected by certain medical conditions such as Atrial fibrillation, Heart failure, and Ischemic stroke. 4 5 6

Sleep apnea symptoms are mostly present throughout the night, which can make it more difficult to notice these symptoms yourself. Oftentimes, a bed partner or family member may observe these signs and bring them to your attention. You may: 2

• Stop and start breathing
• Make gasping, snorting, or choking noises
• Wake up frequently and abruptly
• Experience shortness of breath
• Snore loudly

As the symptoms of sleep apnea have an effect on your quality of sleep, you may experience these symptoms throughout the day: 

• Daytime sleepiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Changes in mood
• Headaches

A sleep apnea diagnosis can be made by your healthcare provider. A specific sleep apnea test does not exist, so your healthcare provider will carefully assess your symptoms and medical history, after which certain tests may be performed in order to rule out other possible causes for your symptoms. If sleep apnea is suspected, a polysomnogram may be recommended, which is also known as an overnight sleep study.  

While you’re asleep, certain vital parameters will be checked, such as your respiratory rate, heart rate, and your oxygen saturation. Other parameters such as your chest wall movement and your airflow will also be monitored. Your healthcare provider will then analyze these results to form a diagnosis. Various factors will be taken into account including your symptoms and how many times your breathing stops per hour of sleep. 4 5

Sleep apnea treatment depends on the cause of your sleep apnea. Treatment for sleep apnea will primarily focus on the underlying condition that is causing your symptoms. Some sleep apnea devices can also help alleviate your symptoms: 2 3

• A positioning device can help you sleep in a different position
• A continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) device can improve your breathing throughout the night
• In case you’re suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, a mandibular advancement device can help bring your lower jaw more to the front, which helps avoid obstruction of the upper airway

In some cases, sleep apnea surgery can also be recommended. There are some options: 1 2 3

• A surgery removing your uvula (the fleshy extension at the back of your mouth which hangs above the throat) or some of the tissue of the soft palate to create more space in the mouth and throat region
• Some patients may require surgery of the jaw to create more space in this region
• A new type of surgery is the implantation of a nerve stimulator which stimulates certain muscles that help broaden the airways during the pauses in your breathing

Sleep apnea itself is not dangerous, but if left untreated, it can lead to the development of other conditions which may be severe. Some possible complications of severe sleep apnea are: 

• High blood pressure 
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Depression
• Exhaustion. It can cause the tendency to fall asleep unexpectedly, even when driving or doing other tasks.

Sleep apnea is a common condition that causes you to stop and restart breathing repeatedly while you’re asleep. This can cause symptoms such as loud snoring, gasping for air, and waking up abruptly. Sleep apnea treatments are available and depend on the cause of your condition. Getting treated is important, as untreated sleep apnea can result in complications. 

Q: What is the difference between obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea? 
A: The main difference between these two types of sleep apnea is the cause of the condition. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by something blocking the upper airway, whereas central sleep apnea is caused by an issue with the centers in your brain responsible for your breathing. 

Q: Is sleep apnea a pulmonary disease? 
A: Although sleep apnea affects your breathing, it is not a disease of the lungs. The causes of sleep apnea are an obstruction of the upper airway or issues with certain centers in the brain. 

Q: Can sleep apnea be cured by stomach sleeping?
A: If the cause of your sleep apnea is an enlarged uvula, then you may notice a difference in symptoms from sleeping on your stomach. When you’re sleeping on your back, there is a higher possibility that the uvula blocks the upper airway. 

Q: How long can you live with treated sleep apnea? 
A: If sleep apnea is being treated properly, then life expectancy is significantly higher than for those who remain untreated.