How your brain is trying to function and the effects this disorder has on your system.
Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing while asleep. Your brain tries to protect you by waking you up enough to breathe, but this prevents restful, healthy sleep. Over time, this condition can cause serious complications. However, it’s manageable. A healthcare provider can help you get better sleep.
Understanding sleep apnea
How common is sleep apnea?
One study estimates that about 1 billion people (between ages 30 to 69) around the world have obstructive sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is less common than OSA but it’s not a rare condition.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that makes you stop breathing while you’re sleeping. This happens either because of blockage of your airway (obstructive sleep apnea) or because your braindoesn’t control your breathing as expected (central sleep apnea).A lack of oxygen activates a survival REFLEX that wakes you up just enough to resume breathing. While that REFLEX keeps you alive, it also interrupts your sleep cycle. This prevents restful sleep. It can also put stress on your heart that may be life-threatening if untreated.A healthcare provider can create a treatment plan to help you manage symptoms and prevent complications.
There are three types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In this condition, the muscles in your throat relax while you’re asleep, causing surrounding tissue to press on your windpipe. This blocks air movement.
- Central sleep apnea (CSA). With this condition, your brain doesn’t send signals to keep breathing-related muscles working while you sleep.
- Mixed/complex sleep apnea. This type is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea types.
