Understanding the Different Types of Sleep Apnea and How Treatments Differ

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common but often underdiagnosed condition in which breathing repeatedly stops or becomes shallow during sleep. These breathing interruptions may last for a few seconds to over a minute and can happen dozens or even hundreds of times per night. As a result, oxygen levels drop, the brain is forced to wake the body to resume breathing, and restorative sleep is disrupted.

Many people with sleep apnea are unaware they have it. Common signs include loud snoring, choking or gasping during sleep, morning headaches, dry mouth, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Over time, untreated sleep apnea can contribute to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and depression.

Additional Read: Can TMJ Disorder Cause Headaches?

Understanding the Different Types of Sleep Apnea

There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA), and complex sleep apnea syndrome (CompSAS). Each type has different causes and requires a unique approach to diagnosis and treatment.

Understanding the differences can help patients better comprehend their symptoms, ask the right questions during consultations, and pursue the most suitable solutions.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most prevalent form of the disorder. It occurs when the muscles in the throat relax excessively during sleep, causing soft tissue to collapse and block the airway. When the airway is obstructed, airflow stops, even though the chest and diaphragm continue working to draw in air.

Key causes of OSA include:

• Obesity or excess weight
• Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
• A naturally narrow airway
• Aging and loss of muscle tone in the throat
• Alcohol or sedative use before bed

Common symptoms:

• Loud, chronic snoring
• Gasping or choking during sleep
• Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
• Feeling fatigued despite a full night of sleep

Additional Read: Why Is Good Oral Hygiene Important for Older Adults?

OSA is linked with serious health complications such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, and stroke. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for enhancing both sleep quality and overall health.

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)

Central sleep apnea is less common than OSA and has a different cause. Rather than a physical blockage of the airway, CSA results from a lack of communication between the brain and the muscles that control breathing. The body simply “forgets” to breathe during sleep.

Common contributors to CSA include:

• Heart failure or other cardiovascular conditions
• Neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s or ALS
• Use of opioid medications
• High altitudes (temporary CSA)

Symptoms of CSA:

• Periodic breathing pauses without snoring
• Waking with shortness of breath
• Difficulty staying asleep
• Daytime drowsiness and poor concentration

CSA often requires different therapies than OSA, particularly those that support the nervous system’s control over respiratory rhythms.

Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome (CompSAS)

Also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, complex sleep apnea is a condition characterized by the coexistence of both obstructive and central events. It is typically diagnosed when a person being treated for OSA with CPAP therapy begins to develop central apnea episodes.

Common signs include:

• CPAP intolerance or discomfort
• Sleep study showing mixed breathing interruptions
• Continued fatigue despite using CPAP equipment

Managing complex sleep apnea often involves careful monitoring, device adjustments, and the use of adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) systems that adapt to both types of breathing issues. Some patients may also benefit from virtual dental consultations
to review their treatment options conveniently.

Diagnostic Methods for Identifying Sleep Apnea

Proper diagnosis begins with a comprehensive sleep evaluation. In many cases, your dentist or primary care physician will refer you to a sleep specialist for testing. The most accurate diagnostic tool is an overnight sleep study, also called polysomnography.

During a sleep study, professionals monitor:

• Brain wave activity
• Oxygen saturation levels
• Heart rate and rhythm
• Respiratory effort and airflow
• Muscle and eye movement

Home sleep apnea tests are also available for some patients. These involve wearing a portable monitor overnight to record breathing patterns and oxygen levels.

Treatment Options for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is highly treatable. The most common therapy is CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), which delivers a gentle stream of air through a mask to keep airways open.

Other effective treatments include:

• Oral appliance therapy: A custom-made mouthguard that repositions the jaw and tongue
• Surgical options: Including uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), nasal surgery, or removal of excess throat tissue
• Lifestyle modifications: Weight loss, smoking cessation, reducing alcohol intake, and sleeping on your side

Many dental practices, including Affinity Dental, offer custom oral appliances for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP.

Additional Read: Key Considerations For Selecting The Best Chicago Dental Guards

How Central Sleep Apnea Is Treated Differently

Since central sleep apnea originates in the brain, treatment often requires neurological support. Common interventions include:

• Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV): A device that adjusts airflow dynamically to match your natural breathing pattern
• Supplemental oxygen therapy: To maintain consistent blood oxygen levels
• Medications: To stimulate breathing in specific cases
• Treating underlying conditions, especially heart failure or opioid dependence

Managing a CSA typically requires collaboration among cardiologists, neurologists, and sleep specialists.

Managing Complex Sleep Apnea: A Combined Approach

CompSAS requires a tailored strategy that addresses both obstructive and central factors. Treatment may involve:

• Adjusting pressure settings on existing CPAP devices
• Switching to an ASV system if central events persist
• Introducing oxygen therapy
• Combining oral appliances with monitoring

Follow-up sleep studies are often needed to fine-tune therapy and ensure all apnea events are being addressed.

When to See a Sleep Specialist

If you or a loved one experiences any of the following, it’s time to speak with a specialist:

• Loud, disruptive snoring
• Waking up gasping for air
• Excessive sleepiness during the day
• Difficulty concentrating or memory lapses
• High blood pressure that doesn’t respond to treatment

Ask your doctor or dentist what type of doctor treats sleep apnea. Pulmonologists, neurologists, and ENT specialists often lead the diagnostic and treatment process.

Restore Better Sleep with Affinity Dental

At Affinity Dental, we understand how untreated sleep apnea can affect your health and daily life. If you suspect you may be dealing with any form of sleep apnea, our team can help you take the next step.

We offer oral appliance therapy and collaborate with trusted sleep specialists in Chicago to ensure you get the right diagnosis and care. Whether you need a simple mouthguard or a referral for a comprehensive sleep study, we’re here to support your health and wellness.

Call Affinity Dental at (773) 904-7079 to schedule your consultation today. Better sleep is within reach.