Sleep Apnea Guide: Symptoms and Causes of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that occurs when a person’s upper airway becomes blocked, triggering abnormal breathing during sleep. These abnormalities range from frequent pauses in breathing to a full-out blockage that interrupts sleep. There are three types of sleep apnea, including obstructive, central, and mixed, with such as snoring, dry mouth, excessive daytime sleepiness, and insomnia.

To diagnose sleep apnea, medical professionals use a polysomnogram, or sleep study, in which limb movements, heart rate, breathing, and oxygen levels are monitored in the blood as the patient sleeps.

There are three types of sleep apnea:

1. 1. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA, the most common type of sleep apnea, is defined by a physical blockage in the back of the throat, usually caused by poor mouth anatomy or narrow air passages due to neck circumference.
2. 2. Central sleep apnea (CSA). CSA is not caused by a physical blockage, but by many different disorders that affect the brain stem’s function, which, in turn, affects breathing abilities.
3. 3. Mixed sleep apnea. Also known as complex sleep apnea, this type of sleep apnea is a mix of OSA and CSA. Mixed sleep apnea episodes usually begin with partial upper airway blockage during sleep, like OSA.

There are a few common symptoms of sleep apnea syndrome, though only a doctor can diagnose sleep apnea.

1. 1. Snoring. Loud snoring is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea. Air flowing through the throat during sleep causes soft tissue, like the tongue, tonsils, and soft palate, to vibrate, creating the snoring sound. The tongue can also fall to the back of the throat, causing a blockage of airflow, leading you to stop breathing.
   
2. 2. Daytime fatigue. Excessive daytime sleepiness may be a sign that you did not get quality sleep the night before. Sleep apnea can cause breathing problems, which can interrupt your sleep cycle.
3. 3. Mood changes. The lack of sleep due to sleep apnea can result in morning headaches, irritability, and easy agitation.
4. 4. Short attention span. Sleep disruptions can cause morning fogginess, difficulty concentrating, and the inability to think, which affect attention span or decision-making.
5. 5. Dry mouth. Sleep apnea often causes sleepers to gasp for air, resulting in a dry mouth the following morning. Chronic dry mouth can be uncomfortable and lead to other issues like halitosis, increased plaque and gum disease, sores, or thrush.
6. 6. Insomnia. Insomnia is a form of chronic sleep deprivation often tied to serious sleep disorders like sleep apnea, making it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep.

OSA can happen for many reasons, including:

1. 1. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Large tonsils, caused either by sickness or another medical condition, can cause a blockage in the throat that obstructs breathing.
2. 2. Genetics. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, a genetic component makes some people more susceptible to developing OSA if a family member was diagnosed with it.
3. 3. Mouth anatomy. The anatomy of your mouth and throat can play a role in whether you develop apnea. Extra throat tissue and longer uvulas can create narrow air passages that are more susceptible to blockage.
4. 4. Neck circumference. People with thicker necks may have more narrow air passages, which carries a higher risk factor of apnea development.
5. 5. Sleep position. Lying flat on your back can cause the tissues in the back of your throat to collapse, narrowing your airways which causes snoring. Learn more about sleep positions in our complete guide.

Dysfunctional brain wiring or an existing health problem are some of the leading causes of central sleep apnea, along with:

1. 1. High altitude. The change in oxygen levels at high altitudes can impact your ability to breathe correctly and cause hyperventilation or under breathing.
2. 2. Medication. Medications that attach to particular receptors in the nervous system may increase the risk of developing central sleep apnea.
3. 3. Medical conditions. Heart conditions, like irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia, central nervous system conditions, Cheyne-Stokes respiration, brain disorders, and kidney disease are potential causes of CSA.

There are a few different treatment methods for treating OSA and CSA. Consult a doctor before pursuing any treatment for sleep apnea.

1. 1. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). A CPAP machine is a ventilation device that provides a constant air pressure level into the upper airway to prevent collapsing or blockage.
2. 2. Oral appliances. Anti-snoring mouthpieces can be effective in relieving instances of snoring. For example, a mandibular advancement device (or mandibular repositioning device) moves the lower jaw forward to clear the air passage for breathing. Additionally, a tongue-retaining device can keep the tongue from slipping back and blocking the throat during sleep.
3. 3. Orofacial therapy. This specific kind of oral therapy can help strengthen the muscles that control the tongue, soft palate, and face.
4. 4. Surgery. Consult a medical professional to discuss whether mouth or jaw surgery is an appropriate option for alleviating sleep apnea symptoms.

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