Sleep Apnea is a disorder that is characterized by pauses in breathing or low breathing during sleep. Apnea is a Greek word that means “without breath.” A pause in breathing of at least 10 seconds, referred to as an apnea, can occur up to hundreds of times per night causing interrupted sleep to the sufferer, with the sufferer more often than not, not even being aware of the condition and that they are being partly woken frequently throughout the night.
Medical experts have identified three types of this medical condition:
*Central Sleep Apnea
*Obstructive Sleep Apnea
*Mixed Sleep Apnea
Central Sleep Apnea or CSA occurs when the brain does not send the proper signals to the breathing muscles resulting in the loss of breath. Central sleep apnea is not very common and makes approximately 5% of those who suffer from sleep apnea.
CSA can be caused by other medical problems, including but not limited to, stroke, encephalitis, Parkinson’s disease, bulbar poliomyelitis, and extreme obesity.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea or OSA is typically caused by the soft tissue in the back of the throat to collapsing and obstructing the airway. The obstruction is usually associated with severe snoring. OSA can affect anyone but is far more prevalent in people who suffer from obesity.
Mixed or Complex Sleep Apnea (CompSA) is a combination of both types and is very uncommon. CompSA can occur as a result of untreated OSA that has gone on for an extended period of time.
Impact of Sleep Apnea
The impact of this potentially serious medical condition ranges from daytime fatigue to high blood pressure, heart attack, and even death. When the body does not receive adequate rest it does not function properly.
People who suffer from this condition can have the following symptoms:
*Excessive tiredness/drowsiness
*Mental and physical fatigue
*Depression
*Irritability and mood changes
*Unexplained weight gain
*Memory lapses
*Inability to concentrate
*Severe snoring Read The Full Story…





