Sleep is meant to be restorative, helping you recharge for the day ahead. But if you suffer from sleep apnoea, a serious sleep disorder, your nights might be filled with frequent awakenings, gasping for air, and mornings spent battling daytime fatigue.
In this blog, we will explore the types of sleep apnoea, their symptoms, causes, and treatments, offering a simple and professional guide to help you better understand this condition.
What is Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep apnoea happens when breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep at night. These interruptions can last a few seconds to minutes and may happen dozens or even hundreds of times each night.
Each pause reduces blood oxygen levels, placing strain on your heart, brain, and other organs.
Without treatment, sleep apnea complications may include high blood pressure, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, abnormal cholesterol levels, and even an increased risk of sudden death.
Why You Should Care About Sleep Apnoea
Untreated sleep apnoea does more than disrupt your rest. It significantly affects your overall health.
Research shows that sleep apnea increases the likelihood of chronic lung diseases, congestive heart failure, and hormonal disorders.
Many individuals also suffer from severe fatigue, daytime tiredness, trouble concentrating, and an increased risk of accidents.
Recognising the symptoms of sleep apnea and seeking early treatment can prevent serious complications.
The Different Types of Sleep Apnoea Explained
There are three primary types of sleep apnoea, each with its own set of causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
Let’s dive into each one.
1. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
Obstructive sleep apnoea is the most common form. It happens when the throat muscles relax too much during sleep, causing a narrowed airway or even a complete blockage.
As a result, your breathing temporarily stops until the brain signals you to resume breathing.
Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
- Loud snoring
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Mood changes and irritability
People with mild sleep apnea may notice occasional symptoms, while those with moderate sleep apnea or severe sleep apnea can experience frequent breathing interruptions and more profound effects on daily life.
2. Central Sleep Apnoea (CSA)
Central sleep apnoea, unlike OSA, is not the result of a physical obstruction. It happens when the brain does not properly signal the muscles that manage breathing.
It is less common but often more serious because it can reflect problems in the central nervous system.
Symptoms of Central Sleep Apnoea
- Pauses in breathing without snoring
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Waking up feeling short of breath
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Trouble concentrating
CSA often coexists with serious illnesses like heart disease, chronic lung disease, or neuromuscular disease. It is more common among people who have suffered strokes or take narcotic pain medications.
3. Complex Sleep Apnoea (Treatment-Emergent Central Sleep Apnoea)
Complex sleep apnoea, also called treatment-emergent central sleep apnoea, occurs when someone receiving positive airway pressure CPAP therapy for OSA starts to develop symptoms of central apnoea.
In other words, while the airway obstruction is addressed, new breathing problems emerge because of unstable breathing patterns during sleep.
This complex type combines features of both OSA and CSA, making diagnosis and treatment more challenging.
How is Sleep Apnoea Diagnosed?
If you experience symptoms such as loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, or waking up gasping for air, it is important to diagnose sleep apnoea early.
A sleep study carried out either at home or in a clinic records your breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, and brain activity while you sleep.
During the evaluation, doctors observe if your upper airway muscles collapse or if the brain fails to signal breathing.
Once sleep apnea is diagnosed, the right treatment plan can be developed.
What Causes Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep apnoea does not have a single cause. Instead, it results from a combination of physical, neurological, and sometimes lifestyle factors that interrupt normal breathing during sleep.
Understanding these causes can help you recognise risks early and take steps to prevent or manage this serious sleep disorder.
Causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep apnoea. It happens when the throat muscles relax too much during sleep, leading to a narrowed or completely blocked airway.
Several factors contribute to this:
- Throat Muscles Relaxation: During sleep, the muscles supporting the upper airway, including the tongue and soft palate, can become overly relaxed, causing the airway to collapse.
- Excess Tissue: Carrying excess weight can cause fatty deposits around the throat that block breathing.
- Anatomical Differences: Some people naturally have a narrowed airway or enlarged tonsils that increase the risk of blockage.
- Sleeping position: When you sleep on your back, gravity can cause the tongue and soft tissues to shift backward, increasing the risk of airway blockage.
- Use of Alcohol and Sleeping Pills: These substances further relax the throat muscles, making obstruction more likely.
- Hormonal Disorders: Conditions like hypothyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome can contribute to sleep apnoea by promoting tissue swelling and weight gain.
Causes of Central Sleep Apnoea
Central sleep apnea (CSA) is different. It is not caused by a blocked airway but rather by a communication failure between the brain and the muscles that control breathing.
Key causes include:
- Brain Fails to Send Signals: Damage or malfunction in the central nervous system can prevent proper control of breathing muscles.
- Heart Conditions: Diseases like congestive heart failure can disrupt breathing patterns during sleep.
- Chronic Lung Diseases: These can interfere with normal oxygen and carbon dioxide regulation, affecting the brain’s breathing signals.
- Medication Use: Narcotic pain relievers like morphine can slow the brain’s control of breathing.
- Sleeping at High Altitudes: Lower oxygen levels at high elevations can trigger central apnoea episodes.
Causes of Complex Sleep Apnoea
Complex sleep apnoea, also called treatment-emergent central sleep apnoea, develops when a person originally diagnosed with OSA and treated using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) starts to show signs of central apnoea.
Potential causes include:
- Adjustment to Positive Airway Pressure: For some individuals, the sudden stabilisation of the upper airway changes the brain’s control over breathing.
- Unstable Breathing Patterns: Disrupted sleep cycles or pre-existing vulnerabilities in the respiratory control system can trigger complex cases.
Common Risk Factors Across All Types
While the specific causes vary, several common risk factors increase your likelihood of developing any form of sleep apnoea:
- Excess Weight: A major contributor, especially for obstructive sleep apnoea.
- Older Age: Muscle tone decreases with age, and breathing control can weaken.
- Family History: Genetics can play a role in the size and structure of the upper airway.
- Smoking: Smoking can result in inflammation and fluid buildup in the airway, increasing the risk of obstruction.
- Use of Sedatives: Alcohol, tranquillisers, and sleeping pills deepen muscle relaxation.
- Medical Conditions: Conditions like heart disease, chronic lung disease, neuromuscular disease, and hormonal disorders all raise the risk.
- Gender: Men are typically at a higher risk, but the risk for women increases after menopause.
- Sleeping Position: Sleeping on your back worsens airway collapse due to gravity.
Common Symptoms to Watch For
Recognising the early symptoms of sleep apnea is crucial for protecting your health.
Many people dismiss these signs as minor annoyances, but they can point to serious issues with your breathing and sleep quality.
Whether you have obstructive sleep apnoea, central sleep apnoea, or complex sleep apnea, the symptoms can overlap.
Here is what you need to look out for:
Loud Snoring
Snore loudly most nights?
While occasional snoring can be harmless, loud and persistent snoring is a hallmark symptom of obstructive sleep apnoea.
If your snoring is loud enough to disturb your partner or wake you up, it should be looked into.
Episodes Where Breathing Stops
Your partner might observe that you stop breathing at times while you sleep. These pauses are often followed by gasping, choking, or snorting sounds as your body struggles to resume breathing.
This pattern is a strong indicator of sleep apnoea.
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
If you find yourself falling asleep during meetings, while watching TV, or even while driving, it could be more than just a busy schedule.
Excessive daytime sleepiness is a clear indication that your body is missing out on the deep, restorative sleep it requires.
Morning Headaches
Frequent morning headaches may occur because interrupted breathing leads to lower blood oxygen levels and increased carbon dioxide during sleep.
These headaches usually improve as the day goes on, but can be an important clue.
Dry Mouth or Sore Throat
Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat is often a sign that you have been breathing through your mouth at night because of airway obstruction. This symptom is particularly common in people with obstructive sleep apnoea.
Difficulty Staying Asleep
Frequent awakenings through the night, whether or not you are aware of them, can disturb your sleep cycle.
This can leave you feeling tired, unfocused, and irritable during the day.
Mood Changes and Memory Problems
Poor sleep can seriously affect your emotional health.
Many individuals with sleep apnoea experience mood swings, irritability, depression, and difficulties with memory and concentration.
Signs Specific to Central Sleep Apnoea
With central sleep apnoea, the symptoms may be more subtle because there is often no snoring.
Instead, you might notice:
- Shortness of breath after waking
- Waking up multiple times without knowing why
- Severe fatigue despite getting enough hours of night sleep
Do Not Ignore the Signs: When to Seek Help
If you experience any of these symptoms of sleep, it is important to consult a professional.
They might suggest a sleep study to track your breathing patterns, heart activity, and blood oxygen levels throughout the night. Early diagnosis can prevent serious sleep apnea complications like high blood pressure, heart disease, and chronic lung diseases.
With prompt treatment, whether through positive airway pressure, CPAP therapy, lifestyle changes, or other approaches, you can restore your energy, health, and quality of life.
How is Sleep Apnoea Treated?
The approach to treating sleep apnea depends on the type and severity of the condition.
Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): This widely used treatment involves wearing a mask that helps keep your upper airway open during sleep.
- Weight loss: Reducing excess weight can lessen symptoms dramatically.
- Lifestyle changes: Avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking, and changing your sleeping position.
- Surgery: In some cases, it involves removing excess tissue or correcting anatomical issues.
Treatment for Central Sleep Apnoea
- Addressing underlying health conditions like heart or lung disease
- Using adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) devices that adjust breathing support
- Supplemental oxygen therapy
- Medications to regulate breathing
Treatment for Complex Sleep Apnoea
- Tailored CPAP adjustments
- Specialised breathing devices
- Careful monitoring through randomised clinical trial-based protocols
Lifestyle Changes That Make a Big Difference
Sometimes, simple adjustments can significantly help with managing mild cases of sleep apnoea:
- Losing weight if overweight
- Regular exercise
- Sleeping on your side rather than your back
- Avoiding sedatives or sleeping pills
- Limiting alcohol intake
- Treating nasal congestion
- Sticking to a regular sleep schedule
These changes help reduce the number of times breathing stops and ensure better blood oxygen levels.
The Serious Complications of Untreated Sleep Apnoea
Ignoring sleep apnoea can have severe consequences for your health. Untreated sleep apnea is associated with:
- High blood pressure and risk of stroke
- Heart disease and heart arrhythmias
- Worsening chronic lung diseases
- Development or worsening of diabetes and metabolic syndrome
- Severe fatigue leads to workplace accidents and car crashes
- Higher risk of sudden death during sleep
This is why early diagnosis and consistent treatment are vital to protect your health.
Sleep Apnoea and Special Health Considerations
Sleep apnoea impacts more than just breathing. It affects many parts of the body.
Impact on the Heart
Poor oxygenation strains the heart, contributing to high blood pressure, arrhythmias, and heart failure. Blood pressure spikes during apnoea episodes.
Impact on the Brain
Interrupted sleep reduces cognitive performance, increasing the risk of memory issues, depression, and mood swings.
Impact on Metabolism
People with sleep apnoea often experience abnormal cholesterol levels and blood sugar irregularities, leading to metabolic syndrome.
Final Thoughts: Managing Sleep Apnoea for a Healthier Life
Understanding the types of sleep apnoea is the first step toward reclaiming restful nights and vibrant days.
Whether you are facing obstructive sleep apnoea, central sleep apnoea, or complex sleep apnoea, effective treatments are available.
From positive airway pressure CPAP therapy to lifestyle changes, there are many ways to manage this condition successfully.
If ignored, sleep apnoea can lead to a range of serious health issues, but with proper care, you can achieve better sleep, stronger health, and an improved quality of life.
So, if you have been battling snoring, waking tired, or constant daytime sleepiness, it’s time to book an appointment with Melbourne Dental Sleep Clinic. You deserve restful, uninterrupted nights, and this test could be the key.
Schedule an appointment with us at:
- Caulfield North : (03) 9068 5355
- Footscray: (03) 9068 5357
- Niddrie: (03) 9068 5316
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). CPAP machine. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22043-cpap-machine
Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Sleep apnea: Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20377631
MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Sleep study. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/sleep-study/
WebMD. (n.d.). Narcotic (opioid) pain medications: Uses and side effects. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/narcotic-pain-medications
National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Chronic lung disease. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/chronic-lung-disease
