Sleep apnea is classified as a sleep-related breathing disorder, which means it is part of a group of conditions defined by abnormal breathing patterns during sleep.
The types of sleep apnea include:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): OSA occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax during sleep, physically blocking or narrowing the airway. This narrowing causes loud snoring, and when the airway becomes fully obstructed, the person briefly stops breathing, leading to a dangerous drop in oxygen.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): CSA is a neurological issue stemming from problems in how the brain communicates with the breathing muscles. With CSA, the brainstem fails to accurately monitor carbon dioxide levels in the body during sleep. This miscommunication leads to repeated episodes of shallow or slow breathing.