Central sleep apnea (CSA) is less frequently diagnosed among patients as compared to the common type of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Central sleep apnea interrupts breathing during the night disrupting sleep which is common with OSA but it is vastly different from OSA, especially with CSA airflow is ceased without respiratory effort and the body does not make effort to breathe while with OSA breathing is stopped but the body is still trying to breathe. Therefore, OSA is caused by physical conditions with the blockage of the airway by the throat tissue while CSA is caused by the area of the brain that controls breathing and does not send the correct signals to the muscles to breathe.
CSA can affect people of all ages and body types and is more common in people who have certain medical conditions or use certain medications whereas OSA is more often diagnosed in people who are obese. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, about 20% of all sleep apnea cases are CSA and there is a crossover between central and obstructive sleep apnea in the form of mixed or complex sleep apnea where patients exhibit symptoms of both types. The symptoms of CSA and OSA are common such as daytime drowsiness and lack of energy hence it is difficult to tell which type one might be suffering from, it is best to consult the doctor or sleep therapist.
If you or your family member is experiencing the symptoms of sleep apnea such as snoring, do consult the doctor to be diagnosed early via sleep apnea CPAP trial in the comfort of your home or an in-lab sleep test to avoid any long-term issues and early intervention such as CPAP therapy with a sleep apnea device to stop snoring, get better quality of sleep, and healthier overall well-being.
The Air Station
