ANCSLEEP BLOG

What is Sleep Apnea

There are three types of sleep apnea. (1) Obstructive sleep apnea is caused when the upper airway becomes blocked during sleep. This blockage greatly reduces or completely stops airflow, and is usually accompanied by loud snoring.

(2) Central sleep apnea is a type of sleep apnea that is caused when the brain does not send signals to the respiratory muscles needed to breathe during sleep. This type of sleep apnea is not accompanied by snoring.

Sometimes, a person can have both obstructive and central sleep apneas, which is called (3) complex sleep apnea syndrome.

What is Sleep Apnea?

According to The National Sleep Foundation, sleep apnea is defined as “a sleep disorder in which breathing is briefly and repeatedly interrupted during sleep.”

The three most prevalent types of sleep apnea are:

• Obstructive sleep apnea: The most commonly known type of sleep apnea marked by the relaxation of the throat muscles (accounting for about 85% of all cases)
• Central sleep apnea: A rarer condition wherein the the brain fails to send the correct signals to muscles that control breathing (accounting for less than 1% of cases)
• Complex sleep apnea syndrome: Diagnosed when someone has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a group of sleeping breathing-related sleep disorders that cause low levels of oxygen to circulate through the body at night. There are three types of sleep apnea: 

• Obstructive or obstructive sleep apnea
• Non-obstructive or central sleep apnea
• Mixed: called complex sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by obstruction from the upper airway becoming blocked during sleep. This blockage greatly reduces or completely stops airflow, and is usually accompanied by loud snoring.

Central sleep apnea is caused when the brain does not send signals needed to breathe during sleep. This type of sleep apnea is not accompanied by snoring, does not involve obstruction, and is far less common than OSA.

Complex sleep apnea is accompanied by characteristics of both central and obstructive sleep apnea.

In all cases, the common consequence is the inability to get restful sleep.

We are so excited to let you know about the latest technology for people with sleep apnea. Ultra-portable, compact, seamlessly integrated, and superior quality are just a few of the adjectives used to describe the NEW DreamStation Go by Philips. Anchorage Sleep Center is proud to introduce you to a new portable CPAP machine which delivers on all of the features sleep apnea patients desire in a unit. The newly released Philips DreamStation Go is the perfect size and portable without lacking in effectiveness or functionality. Here are some advantages of the DreamStation for individuals who have sleep apnea.

It’s not surprising that the week of Thanksgiving was chosen as GERD awareness week, especially with our tendency to indulge in a little too much of everything!  GERD. or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a common disease that affects millions of Americans.

The holiday season has arrived! Not only should you be excited, but there is so much to look forward to. Time with family and friends, shopping and traveling are all many things that we take part in during the holiday season. However, for patients with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), going untreated while traveling can put them in line for serious health consequences, not to mention limiting the enjoyment of their trip. And, let’s face it, sleep apnea doesn’t take a holiday but here are a few quick tips to make traveling with sleep apnea a little less cumbersome.

Importance of Just Snoring vs Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Chronic, loud snoring may be a bigger personal problem than just a nuisance for other people who have to listen to your nightly nasally noises. In other words, while their sleep might be disrupted, your snoring might be caused by a medical condition called sleep apnea, which can have significant health consequences. Or, maybe you are just a loud, chronic snorer.

Knowing the difference and telltale signs between loud snoring and sleep apnea is important, as identifying the potential problem underlying your chronic snoring is the first step to getting healthy again.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleeping disorder and medical condition that causes you to repeatedly stop breathing and then rouse yourself throughout the night. OSA happens when the throat muscles in the back of your throat relax, causing the airway to narrow and your tongue to cleave to the back of your mouth, instigating snoring and a closed airway. Because you have rouse each time this happens, OSA prevents you from getting restful sleep, resulting in chronic (and potentially severe) sleep deprivation.

This process of not breathing and rousing can happen many times per hour:

• Mild OSA: 5-14 apneas per hour of sleep
• Moderate OSA: 15-30 apneas per hour of sleep
• Severe OSA: 30+ apneas per hour of sleep

Even moderate sleep apnea causes you to wake up over 100 times per night. The good news is that OSA is usually fully treated with CPAP therapy.

The bad news is that the risks are still the same for mild, moderate, and severe OSA, the only difference may be the prevalence and severity of the symptoms – that is, whether or not you are rousing 80 or 250 times per night, you are incredibly sleep deprived regardless.

The Revolving Circle of Diabetes, Sleep Apnea, and Obesity

The interplay between diabetes, obesity, and sleep apnea is widely acknowledged and cannot be ignored. While it may be unclear which condition is the root cause of the connection, it is evident that they are all interconnected and have a negative impact on each other.

Obesity can exacerbate obstructive sleep apnea, making it more difficult to breathe during sleep. In turn, sleep apnea can worsen diabetes management, leading to complications in blood sugar control. Furthermore, diabetes can hinder weight loss efforts, making it harder to manage obesity.

This vicious cycle can be disheartening, but the good news is that there are various treatments and interventions available to help break this revolving door. There are strategies to address each condition individually and simultaneously, making the management of diabetes, obesity, and sleep apnea more attainable.

It is crucial to consult with healthcare professionals for personalized guidance and treatment options. Our team of sleep specialists can provide expert advice and support in managing sleep apnea effectively.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disruptive and potentially dangerous sleep disorder that interrupts your breathing multiple times throughout the night, typically for around 20 seconds at a time. These interruptions, known as apnea events, force your body to wake up and start breathing again, preventing you from achieving restful sleep and leading to significant sleep deprivation. The consequences of OSA can be profound and have a negative impact on your overall well-being. While some individuals may be at a higher risk for developing OSA, it's important to assess whether you could be susceptible to this condition.

Apnea events can occur as frequently as 40 times per night for those with mild sleep apnea, and over 240 times per night for individuals with severe sleep apnea. Interestingly, you won't have any recollection of these events in the morning. Regardless of whether you experience 50 or 150 instances of interrupted breathing during the night, the end result is chronic sleep deprivation.

The point is that the consequences are largely the same, the difference may only be the severity of the symptoms and rapidity of damages done.

While there are many potential consequences, they are all related to causing:

• A shortened lifespan
• A lower quality life
• Medical complications

There are various factors that will put you at risk for developing OSA, including:

• Medical and biological risk factors
• Physical risk factors
• Lifestyle risk factors

Let’s look at these risk factors in more detail.