Dr. Tassos Sfondouris 1660 Village Green Crofton, MD 21114 Call Us: (410) 260-0790 |
Sleep Apnea Types in Crofton, MDWhile many people joke about surviving on little to no sleep, the truth is that getting enough sleep every night, and getting quality sleep at that, is essential. Sleep is a restorative process that helps your body and mind to heal, giving it time to rest and repair itself. Sleep apnea is a condition that affects the quality of your sleep. When you have sleep apnea, you stop breathing for several seconds, several times throughout the course of the night. This occurs night after night, leaving you feeling utterly exhausted and irritable. More than that, sleep apnea can also affect your physical and mental health as well. There are a few different types of sleep apnea. The Mugford Center can help you to understand the different types and what your treatment options are.  1.) Obstructive Sleep ApneaObstructive sleep apnea, commonly abbreviated as OSA, is the most common type of sleep apnea. This particular sleep apnea is caused by a partial or full blockage of your airway. As you sleep, your throat muscles relax. This allows your tongue or other fatty tissues in your mouth to fall back into your throat restricting air. When you cannot breathe, a signal is sent to your brain that causes you to wake up partially. Once you take the breath you need, you can go back to sleep.There a few factors that can increase your risk of experiencing OSA. These factors include:
2.) Central Sleep ApneaCentral sleep apnea, or CSA, is a type of sleep apnea that is much less common than OSA. It occurs when your brain temporarily fails to signal to the muscles that control your breathing that you need to breathe. Where OSA can be thought of as a mechanical issue, CSA occurs as the result of a communication issue.CSA is often caused by medical issues and conditions that affect your brainstem. Men are more likely to develop CSA than women, and older adults are more at risk than younger individuals. Some individuals who are currently being treated for OSA can also develop CSA. Common causes of CSA include:
3.) Complex Sleep Apnea SyndromeComplex sleep apnea syndrome, also referred to as mixed sleep apnea, is a type of sleep apnea that is a mix of both obstructive and central sleep apnea. Those with complex sleep apnea syndrome may seem to have obstructive sleep apnea at first, but the symptoms exhibited are not fully alleviated with a C-PAP machine. Patients with complex sleep apnea syndrome often have persisting breathing problems despite the obstruction being treated. This can indicate that there is something else at play causing your sleep apnea than collapsing throat muscles. Treatment for this type of sleep apnea may involve a C-PAP machine on the lowest setting or a BiPAP machine.Schedule Your Sleep Apnea Consultation TodayThe proper diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea can help you to get the sleep you need, restoring your quality of life. For more information or to schedule your consultation, call The Mugford Center today at (410) 260-0790. We can help identify and diagnose the severity of the sleep apnea and discuss the best treatment options for your unique situation. For more information about our practice, see our office information page. |
|
