Types of Apnea
Obstructive apnea
The walls of the oropharynx are completely closed, generating an inspiratory collapse of more than 10 seconds. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea, accounting for 84% of all sleep apnea diagnoses.
The upper airway can become obstructed due to:
Excessive relaxation of the muscles during sleep, which prevents air from passing through properly.
The weight of oropharyngeal tissues and neck contours that narrow the airway.
Tonsillitis or other temporary reasons
Structural reasons, such as the shape of the nose, neck, or jaw
Central Apnea
Neurological type, the breathing control center does not send the nerve stimulus to breathe. There is no obstruction or respiratory muscle effort.
Mixed Apnea
Combination of central and obstructive apnea, with central onset and obstructive end.
Hypoapnea
The walls are partially closed, decreasing the inlet diameter of the air passage for more than 10 seconds.
There is no inspiratory collapse.
Complications in Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea has also been linked to other conditions.
Examples of common conditions include
Type 2 diabetes
Obesity
Heart failure
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
