What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes breathing to repeatedly slow, pause, or stop during sleep. These interruptions may happen many times throughout the night, and many people do not realize they are occurring.

Even when someone believes they slept for a full night, sleep apnea can prevent the body from getting the deep, restorative sleep it needs. When breathing is interrupted, oxygen levels may drop and the brain may briefly wake the body to restart normal breathing. These awakenings are often so short that the person does not remember them, but they can still leave the body feeling unrested the next day.

Sleep apnea can affect energy, concentration, mood, and overall sleep quality. It can also become a long term health concern if left untreated. In this guide, we will explain what sleep apnea is, the three main types of sleep apnea, common symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and which sleep therapy machines are commonly prescribed for each type.

What Happens During Sleep Apnea?

During normal sleep, breathing should remain steady and consistent. With sleep apnea, breathing is repeatedly disrupted.

In some cases, the airway becomes partially or completely blocked. In other cases, the brain does not send the proper signals to keep breathing regular. Either way, the result is interrupted sleep and reduced airflow during the night.

These breathing disruptions can lead to brief awakenings, changes in oxygen levels, snoring, gasping, or restless sleep. Because many of these events happen while the person is asleep, sleep apnea is often first noticed by a bed partner, family member, or through symptoms that appear during the day.

Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people notice obvious nighttime symptoms, while others mainly experience daytime fatigue or trouble focusing.

Common signs of sleep apnea include:

• Loud or frequent snoring
• Pauses in breathing during sleep
• Gasping, choking, or snorting during sleep
• Morning headaches
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Trouble concentrating
• Irritability or mood changes
• Restless sleep
• Dry mouth upon waking

Not everyone with sleep apnea snores, and not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. However, loud snoring combined with breathing pauses, gasping, or daytime sleepiness may be a reason to speak with a healthcare provider.

Why Sleep Apnea Can Be Easy to Miss

One reason sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed is that the person experiencing it may not be aware of what is happening overnight. The brain may briefly wake the body just enough to restart breathing, but not enough for the person to fully remember waking up.

This can create a frustrating situation. A person may spend seven or eight hours in bed but still wake up tired, foggy, or unrefreshed. They may assume they are simply stressed, aging, or not sleeping deeply enough, when repeated breathing interruptions may actually be part of the problem.

A sleep study is usually needed to confirm whether sleep apnea is present.

The Three Main Types of Sleep Apnea

There are three primary types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea syndrome. Each type affects breathing differently, which is why diagnosis matters before treatment is selected.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea, often called OSA, is the most common type of sleep apnea.

OSA occurs when the muscles and soft tissues in the throat relax during sleep and narrow or block the airway. The body continues trying to breathe, but airflow is reduced or temporarily stopped because of the obstruction.

This type of sleep apnea is commonly associated with snoring, gasping, and repeated awakenings during the night. Many people diagnosed with sleep apnea have obstructive sleep apnea.

For OSA, commonly prescribed positive airway pressure therapies may include CPAP machines, APAP machines, and in certain cases, BPAP machines.

Central Sleep Apnea

Central Sleep Apnea, or CSA, is different from obstructive sleep apnea because the issue is not a blocked airway.

With CSA, the brain does not consistently send the correct signals to the muscles responsible for breathing. As a result, breathing may pause or become irregular during sleep even though the airway itself is not physically obstructed.

Central sleep apnea can have different causes, and treatment is often more individualized than treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Depending on the patient’s condition, a healthcare provider may recommend certain BPAP devices, Adaptive Servo-Ventilation devices, or other physician directed therapies.

Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome, also known as treatment emergent central sleep apnea, involves features of both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

In some cases, a patient may first appear to have obstructive sleep apnea, but central apnea events may become noticeable during therapy or further evaluation. Because more than one breathing pattern may be involved, treatment for complex sleep apnea is usually tailored to the individual patient.

Therapy may involve BPAP therapy, ASV therapy, or other specialized positive airway pressure devices depending on the sleep study results and the provider’s recommendations.

How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?

Sleep apnea is typically diagnosed through a sleep study. A healthcare provider may recommend an in lab sleep study, a home sleep apnea test, or additional evaluation depending on the patient’s symptoms and medical history.

The results of a sleep study can help determine whether sleep apnea is present, how severe it is, and what type of breathing events are occurring. This information is important because the best treatment option can depend on the type of sleep apnea and the patient’s overall health.

What Machines Are Commonly Used to Treat Sleep Apnea?

The machine prescribed for sleep apnea depends on the diagnosis, the sleep study results, and the patient’s response to therapy. While many sleep apnea patients use positive airway pressure therapy, not every type of sleep apnea is treated the same way.

For obstructive sleep apnea, CPAP and APAP machines are among the most commonly prescribed therapies. These machines help keep the airway open by delivering pressurized air through a mask while the patient sleeps. In some situations, a BPAP machine may be prescribed instead.

For central sleep apnea, treatment may require a more specialized approach. Some patients may use certain BPAP devices or ASV therapy, while others may need additional care based on the underlying cause of their breathing disruptions.

For complex sleep apnea, treatment is often more customized because both obstructive and central breathing events may be involved. A healthcare provider may recommend BPAP therapy, ASV therapy, or another advanced therapy option.

Can Sleep Apnea Be Treated?

Yes. Many people successfully manage sleep apnea with the right treatment plan and ongoing guidance from their healthcare provider.

Treatment may include positive airway pressure therapy, lifestyle changes, weight management, oral appliance therapy, or surgical options in select cases. The right approach depends on the type of sleep apnea, its severity, the patient’s comfort with therapy, and any other medical factors that may be involved.

The most important step is getting properly evaluated. Once sleep apnea is diagnosed, a provider can recommend a treatment plan designed around the patient’s specific needs.

Why Treatment Matters

Sleep apnea is more than just snoring or poor sleep. When breathing is repeatedly interrupted throughout the night, the body may not get the rest and oxygen stability it needs.

Many people who follow their prescribed treatment plan report improvements in sleep quality, daytime energy, focus, and overall quality of life. Consistent therapy can also help reduce the disruption caused by repeated nighttime breathing events.

Because sleep apnea can vary from mild to severe, it is important to work with a healthcare provider rather than trying to guess which treatment is needed.

Related Resources

To learn more about sleep therapy devices and treatment options, explore these related guides:

• What Is a CPAP?
• What Is an APAP?
• What Is a BPAP?
• CPAP vs APAP
• CPAP vs BPAP
• APAP vs BPAP
• What Is ASV Therapy?

Final Thoughts

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. The three main types are obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea syndrome.

Because each type affects breathing in a different way, diagnosis is an important part of choosing the right treatment. CPAP, APAP, BPAP, and ASV therapy may all be used in sleep apnea care, but the appropriate option depends on the patient’s specific condition and sleep study results.

If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, speak with a healthcare provider about testing and treatment options. With the right diagnosis and therapy plan, many people are able to sleep better, feel more rested, and manage their condition more effectively.