What Are the Different Types of Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is more common than many people realize—and it’s also more serious than just snoring or feeling tired. It causes repeated pauses in breathing while you sleep, which can take a toll on your health if left untreated. The good news? Understanding the different types of sleep apnea in Charlotte is a key first step toward getting the right care. Whether you're looking into it for yourself or someone you care about, this guide will walk you through what each type involves, what causes it, and how it can be treated.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the most common type. It happens when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much during sleep, temporarily blocking your airway. This can lead to loud snoring, gasping for air at night, morning headaches, and feeling exhausted during the day—even after a full night’s sleep.

Common risk factors for OSA include extra weight, aging, and natural differences in your anatomy. Treatments can vary based on severity and lifestyle, but often include weight management, changing sleep positions, oral appliance therapy, CPAP therapy (which uses gentle air pressure to keep your airway open), or sometimes surgery if needed.

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)

Central Sleep Apnea is less common and works differently than OSA. Instead of a physical blockage, CSA happens when your brain doesn’t send the right signals to the muscles that control breathing. This can cause your breathing to stop and start during the night without the typical snoring.

People with CSA might notice trouble staying asleep, waking up with chest discomfort, or having a hard time focusing during the day. CSA is often linked to other health conditions like heart failure or neurological issues. Treating it usually involves addressing the underlying condition, and may include therapies like adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) or using supplemental oxygen during sleep.

This type of sleep apnea cannot be managed dentally and we will work with your sleep physician to ensure it’s managed adequately. 

Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Also called treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, this form combines features of both OSA and CSA. It’s typically discovered when someone starts CPAP therapy for obstructive sleep apnea—but still experiences central apneas that weren’t there before.

Symptoms might include ongoing apnea episodes despite using CPAP, disrupted sleep, and daytime fatigue. Managing this type of sleep apnea can involve fine-tuning CPAP settings, switching to ASV therapy, or treating any contributing health issues.

Risk Factors & Diagnosis

There are a few common factors that can increase your risk for sleep apnea, including:

• Being overweight
  
• Having a larger neck size
  
• Getting older
  
• Family history
  
• Use of alcohol or sedatives
  

If sleep apnea is suspected, a sleep study is the best way to get answers. This can often be done at home or in a sleep center. During the study, your breathing, oxygen levels, and other sleep patterns are monitored to determine the type and severity of the condition.

Let’s Get You Back to Restful Sleep in Charlotte, NC

If you think sleep apnea might be affecting you or someone close to you, don’t wait to take the next step. At Infinity Smiles, Dr. Brazile and Dr. Moorehead offer expert, compassionate care to help you breathe easier and sleep better. From diagnosis to treatment, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Give us a call at (704) 336-9595 to schedule your consultation at our Charlotte office. Better sleep—and better health—starts here.