Types of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by a reduction or cessation of breathing and air flow during sleep. It is common among adults but very rare in children. An apnea is a period of time during which breathing stops or is significantly reduced. Simply put, an apnea occurs when a person stops breathing for ten seconds or more. Apneas usually occur during sleep. When an apnea occurs, sleep is disrupted. Sometimes this means the person wakes up completely, but sometimes this can mean the person comes out of a deep level of sleep. Apneas are usually measured during sleep over a two-hour period.
Three Types of Sleep Apnea
The three types of sleep apneas are central sleep apnea (CSA), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and mixed sleep apnea (a combination of the two).
During sleep, the brain instructs the muscles of breathing to take a breath. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain does not send the signal to the muscle to take a breath, and there is no muscular effort to take a breath. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the brain sends the signal to the muscles and the muscles make an effort to take a breath but are unsuccessful because the airway becomes obstructed and prevents the flow of air. The third type of sleep apnea, mixed sleep apnea, occurs when there is both central and obstructive sleep apnea.
CSA and its Causes
CSA occurs when the brain does not send the signal to the muscles of breathing. This type of apnea usually occurs in infants or adults with heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, or congenital diseases, but CSA can also be caused by some medications and high altitudes.
CSA, when occurring in premature infants, is defined as apnea lasting more than 20 seconds, usually with a change in heart rate, a reduction in blood oxygen, or hypotonia (a general relaxation of the body’s muscles). CSA is not the same thing as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
OSA
People with obstructive sleep apnea have an airway that is more narrow than normal, usually at the base of the tongue and palate. When lying flat, the palate is above the air passage. When the pharyngeal muscles relax, the palate can fall backwards obstructing the airway. Patients with OSA often do not report waking up during the night.
OSA can cause the following medical problems (just to name a few):
· High blood pressure
· Heart problems
· Weight gain
· Constant tiredness
· Diabetes
· Slow metabolism
· Memory/concentration problems
· Depression
· Anxiety
· Sore throat
· Dry mouth
About the Author
To learn more about the types of sleep apnea and what treatments are available, please contact Chicago-area cosmetic dentist Dr. Ira Shapira for more information regarding how treatment of sleep apnea can change the way you sleep and the way you live.
Sleep Apnea - A Scent Solution?
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'Flow driver' CPAP good for apnea of prematurity.(Clinical Rounds)(continuous positive airway pressure): An article from: Pediatric News $9.95 This digital document is an article from Pediatric News, published by Thomson Gale on April 1, 2007. The length of the article is 516 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.Citation DetailsTitle: 'Flow driver' C... |
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Snoring and Sleep Apnea (Paperback) $39.13 Pascualy (Sleep Medicine Associates, Northwest Hospital, Seattle) addresses snorers, their bed partners and other loved ones, and their medical providers in this reference explaining a major cause of snoring--sleep apnea. Text based in medicine but accessibly written advises readers how to determine if the cause of snoring is sleep apnea; where to find a sleep center; what the physical, pharmaceutical, and psychological causes of the disease are; and what the surgical and non-surgical (e.g. continuous positive airway pressure machines) treatment options may be. Chapters also address specific cases such as obese patients, women, and children. Annotation )2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) |
