We are aware that apnea is a condition which is characterized by irregularity in breathing while one is asleep.
The growing awareness to sleep apnea has provided people who are suffering from this condition more means to take care of themselves and be treated of their condition.
There are three kinds of apnea.
Namely Central Sleep Apnea - shortened to CSA, Obstructive sleep Apnea or (OSA) and a combination of the two, Mixed.
Now let us discuss each one in order to get familiarity of the three and their differences.
When we speak of CSA, the problem is actually on the Central Nervous system.
When one has CSA, it is the brain that fails to do its sleep related task.
When one was Central Sleep Apnea, the brain is unable to send signals to the muscles of the body so that it would facilitate breathing.
On the other hand comes the Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
When we speak of OSA, the brain does not have any problem or difficulty in sending its signals at all.
Instead, when it sends signals and are received by the muscles, the muscles fail to do their work due to several obstructions.
These obstructions lie in the airway or the actual passage of air so it becomes more difficult to supply the air and pressure that is needed.
The last kind is the mixed apnea which is a combination of the two earlier apneas defined.
At times, it is the brain that fails to send the signal and at times when it successfully does, it is the muscle that fails to do its job.
Any of these three hinders sleep and makes it a restless affair for the patient.
These may cause serious effects such as lung problem, heart problems and even worse sudden death.
Upon diagnosis, the use of CPAP is most a requirement.
In order to relieve oneself of these possibilities, CPAP is the best way.