Sleep Apnea

Main Symptoms

Difficulty or inability to breathe regularly when sleeping

Each episode of lack-of-breath is called an apnea

The individual in question is usually unaware of his condition, and sleep apnea can go unnoticed for years before diagnosis

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Most common form of sleep apnea

When the airway is physically blocked or collapsed during sleep

Air that is able to squeeze past through emits a snoring sound

Correlation between cases of obstructive sleep apnea and obesity is quite apparent

Central Sleep Apnea

A less common form of sleep apnea; often coexists with obstructive sleep apnea, but can exist by itself

When the brain fails to send adequate signals to the breathing muscles during sleep

Central sleep apnea hardly induces snoring.

Complex sleep apnea: combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea

Physiological effects

Neurological excitement – a 3-second increase in EEG frequency

Blood oxygen desaturation by 3%

Consequent symptoms in the aftermath (sequelae) – fatigue, sleepiness in the daytime