This post was written by Rob Ritter, NP, PPG – Sleep Medicine.
When most people hear “sleep apnea,” they think of snoring and gasping for air in the middle of the night, which is typically known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, there is another type of sleep apnea that people should be aware of, central sleep apnea (CSA). OSA and CSA can look similar on the surface but are very different in how they present and how they’re treated.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
OSA is the most common form. It happens when your airway physically gets blocked while you’re asleep. The muscles in your throat relax, the airway collapses and your body struggles to get air. Your brain senses this lack of oxygen and briefly wakes you up to reopen the airway. People with OSA often snore loudly, wake up feeling tired and may experience morning headaches or trouble focusing during the day.
Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
With CSA, the issue isn’t a blockage. The issue is a communication problem between your brain and the muscles that control breathing. The brain simply fails to send the signal to breathe for short periods of time. There’s often no snoring involved, and the person might not even realize they’ve stopped breathing unless a sleep study catches it. CSA can be linked to certain medications, heart failure, substance use or neurological conditions.
How they’re diagnosed
Both types are diagnosed through a sleep study (polysomnography) either completed at home or in the sleep lab. This test monitors breathing patterns, oxygen levels, brain activity and heart rate while you sleep. The test data helps determine whether pauses in breathing are due to a physical blockage (OSA) or a lack of brain signal (CSA).
Treatment options
OSA: Often treated with a positive airway pressure machine (CPAP), which keeps your airway open by providing a steady stream of air. Examples include both continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP). Weight loss and other positive lifestyle changes can also help improve OSA symptoms.
CSA: Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause- whether it’s adjusting medications, treating heart conditions or using adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) devices that respond to your breathing pattern. This can also sometimes be controlled on PAP devices.
The bottom line
If you or someone you know notice pauses in breathing, snoring or unrefreshing sleep, it’s worth getting checked. Sleep apnea isn’t just about poor sleep; it can affect your heart health, mood and energy levels. With the right diagnosis and treatment, most people see major improvements in their quality of life.
To learn more about sleep disorders, treatment and what PPG – Sleep Medicine has to offer, visit parkview.com/medical-services/sleep-medicine.
