Types of Sleep Apnea Disorder & Their Causes

Sleep Apnea is a sleeping disorder of the people who snore in a condition where breathing stops for 10 or more seconds and the blood oxygen level goes low.

The sleep apnea disorder is common in people who are:

1) Overweight;
2) Smoke cigarettes;
3) Drink alcohol.

There are 2 types of sleep apnea:

1) Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) affects men largely between 40-60 years old. It is said to occur when the nasal passages and the upper airways become blocked during sleep. Normally, this obstruction is caused by the soft tissues of the throat (pharynx) which is simply relaxing during sleep. This type of sleep apnea disorder is generally caused by obesity.

2) Central Sleep Apnea occurs when the nerves do not regulate the breathing automatically. This type of sleep apnea disorder is hugely a neurological problem.

In both the cases, this should not be left untreated or it can ultimately be life threatening.

Causes of Sleep Apnea Disorder includes:

• Due to hormonal influence, men are more susceptible. Men also have more central fat distribution including the neck thereby increasing a risk of narrow airway and closure of the upper airway.
• Post-Menopausal Women.
• People who have a B.M.I of 30 and above.
• Very common among African-Americans and Hispanics.
• Men having a large neck 17”; Women with 16”.
• People with Down’s syndrome.
• People with any abnormalities of the soft tissue structure of the head and the neck.
• Increasing Age.
• Family History.
• Drugs such as narcotics, alcohol, sleeping pills.
• Endocrine disordered people especially who have Hypo Thyroid.
• Genetics (even if no blood relative has this disorder).
• The anatomy of the airway which is based on Genetics.
• Development in Childhood and Adolescence.
• Nutrition.
• Orthodontic History and Current Dentition.
• Any physical obstructions like Polyps, Deviated Septum and Sinus.
• Traumatic injuries to head, face or neck.
• A fair amount of Oral and Nasal surgeries.

It has been reported that the Australian doctor, Colin Sullivan who invented the CPAP (Continuous Positive Airways Pressure) actually utilizes an oral appliance to treat his own sleep apnea disorder.

Nuvigil from Cephalon Pharmaceutical approved by the FDA is in the market since June 2007. It is a schedule drug and is advised not to be given to the children, cardiac patients and pregnant women. Nuvigil is basically a “cleaner” and comes in 3 sizes—50gm, 150gm and 250gm.