⭐ What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition where your breathing repeatedly stops or becomes very shallow while you sleep. This happens because the airway gets blocked, so air cannot flow smoothly into the lungs. The scary part is — these pauses in breathing happen while you are asleep and unaware, meaning your body may be low on oxygen without you knowing it.
⭐ Types of Sleep Apnea
There are three main types of sleep apnea:
1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA):
The most
common type, affecting about 90% of patients. It happens when
the throat muscles and soft tissues relax too much, causing the
airway to narrow or collapse. This often leads to loud snoring
and breathing pauses.
2. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA):
Less common,
this type is caused by the brain not sending the right signals
to the breathing muscles. It is usually seen in people who have
had a stroke, head injury, or other neurological problems.
3. Mixed Sleep Apnea:
A combination of
both obstructive and central sleep apnea.