Central & Obstructive Sleep Apnea- Know the Difference
Sleep disease is a complex term for a person's problems while falling asleep. A person can experience many types of sleep disorders. Sleep apnea is the most common sleep disorder, which is characterized by an intermittent stoppage of respiration due to obstruction in the top airway or improper brain signaling. These conditions are known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA).
Obstructive Vs central Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the muscles in the throat over relaxation, which prevents airflow in the upper airway. The person may undergo a faint breath. It can even stop intermittently so that the individual wakes up briefly to restore normal airflow. Blocking and breathing restoration occurs repeatedly during sleep. Although the person may not remember after waking up completely, this disturbed sleep can make people wake up and feel not completely rested.
Breathing in central sleep apnea stops and begins again and again because of the improper brain signal. Although breathing-control muscles do not relax excessively or block the air route, they do not get sufficient signals from the brain, which interrupt respiration.
Although central sleep apnea is more common than obstructive sleep apnea, it is more dangerous for the latter and you need to seek immediate sleep apnea treatment. Look at the disparity in the signs, diagnosis and methods of treatment between obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea:
Symptoms:
Loud snoring, which can also interrupt people sleeping across the wall is the main sign of blocking sleep apnea. That said, snoring alone does not mean a person has sleep obstructive apnea.
Many signs showing the risk for obstructive sleep apnea
Constant tiredness, sleeping all day long
Headache waking up
Swings in mood, depression, oblivion
Incapability to concentrate
High blood pressure, etc.
Children with obstructive sleep apnea are often known to wet their beds, sweating abundantly during the night, inner compression of rib cage during exhalation, teeth grinding, sleep in unusual places, etc.
Central sleep apnea may occur because the brain stem, stroke, and cardiac arrests or other medical conditions. Cheyne-Stocks respiration (CSR) condition occurs in which carbon dioxide levels increase as a result of breathing cessation. It also happens while a person is sleeping at high altitudes, or when medications like morphine, oxycodone or codeine are administered.
Book your appointment with OKOA for sleep apnea treatment in OKC without delay.
**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor's advice, nor does it create any form of patient-doctor relationship.