Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome
How many times have you been told that you snore loudly? Or that you stop breathing at night? If you have, you may have sleep apnea, which affects millions of Americans. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with sleep apnea often snore loudly and breathe irregularly, sometimes hundreds of times per night.
Most people with sleep apnea do not know they have it because it happens during sleep. A family member or partner may notice the signs first. If you have the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea, you must order a home sleep test. And if you have the symptoms of central sleep apnea after undergoing sleep apnea treatment, you may even have a complex sleep apnea syndrome.
What is Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome?
There are three primary types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and mixed. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type, occurring when the muscles in the back of the throat relax and block the airway, causing shallow or paused breathing. Central sleep apnea (CSA) occurs when the brain does not send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of both types.
Complex sleep apnea syndrome (CSAS) is a type of disordered sleeping when someone develops symptoms of central sleep apnea after the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. If you have undergone treatment for OSA but still experience the symptoms of sleep apnea, but this time because of neurological reasons, you have a complex sleep apnea syndrome. CSAS is a serious condition for which you must seek complex sleep apnea syndrome treatment.
Symptoms of Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome:
- Loud snoring
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Restless sleep
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Morning headaches
- Daytime fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating during the day
- Irritability
- Forgetfulness
- Mood swings
If you have sleep apnea, please order a home sleep study. We can deliver the home sleep apnea test to your home, so you can undergo the test from the comfort of your home. Our sleep apnea experts will analyze the results to determine the severity of sleep apnea and curate a treatment plan. Untreated sleep apnea can cause serious health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, so treating complex and central sleep apnea syndromes is essential.
Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome Treatment
One of the most common treatment options for complex sleep apnea syndrome is an oral appliance, a custom-fit device worn in the mouth during sleep. They work by holding the tongue and jaw forward, preventing the airway from collapsing. In addition to being custom-fit, oral appliances must be worn every night to be effective.
We also offer the Vivos system, an oral appliance capable of gradually changing the positioning of your upper and lower jaws. Vivos oral appliances address the structural root cause of sleep apnea, thus helping you overcome the problem within a few months. Our sleep apnea specialists curate a personalized treatment of complex and central sleep apnea syndromes.
Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome FAQs
If you’re a chronic snorer, you may wonder if you have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that interrupts your breathing during sleep. Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, but not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Here are some other symptoms of sleep apnea:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Waking up frequently during the night
- Loud snoring
- Choking or gasping during sleep
- Feeling unrefreshed after a night’s sleep
Many different factors can increase someone’s risk for sleep apnea. One of the most common risk factors is being overweight or obese. When someone has excess weight, especially around the neck, it can put pressure on the airway and make it more likely to collapse during sleep. Other risk factors for sleep apnea include:
- Having a large neck circumference
- Having a family history of sleep apnea
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Using certain medications or drugs
You may not realize it, but your body works hard to catch up when you stop breathing during sleep apnea. Your brain signals your body to wake up so you can start breathing again. This can happen many times throughout the night and make it hard to get a good night’s sleep. If sleep apnea is not treated, it can cause heart problems, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and other health problems.
Most people with sleep apnea have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). That’s when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep. Some people also suffer from central sleep apnea (CSA), which occurs because of improper signals from the brain. You may also suffer from both types of sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a common condition that affects people of all ages. It is more common in men than in women, and it is more common in people who are overweight. Sleep apnea affects up to 10% of the population worldwide.
Schedule Your Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome Treatment
Complex sleep apnea is a serious sleeping disorder that combines symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea, usually arising after you have already undergone treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep Apnea Treatment is led by sleep apnea specialists who carefully examine your symptoms, diagnose the root cause of your problem, and curate personalized treatment plans to help you get the sleep you need. Please schedule an appointment to explore your treatments for complex and central sleep apnea syndromes.
