While many people have heard of sleep apnea, it’s often surprising to discover that there are actually three distinct types. Each one has unique characteristics and can vary in severity. Here’s a clear guide to help you understand the differences:

🛌 The Three Main Types of Sleep Apnea

1️⃣ Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
This is the most common — and often the most serious — form of sleep apnea. As the name suggests, it occurs when the airways become physically blocked during sleep, disrupting normal breathing.

When the airway is blocked, your chest muscles work harder to force it open again. Breathing resumes with a loud gasp or snort, often waking you up momentarily. This repeated drop in oxygen levels puts extra stress on your heart and overall health.

Factors that can worsen OSA include:
✅ Being overweight
✅ Alcohol consumption
✅ Smoking
✅ Certain medications (like sleeping pills or antihistamines)

2️⃣ Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
This form is less common and usually affects older adults. In central sleep apnea, the airway is not physically blocked — instead, the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles responsible for breathing.

Because the airways stay open, snoring is rare in central sleep apnea. However, the periodic pauses in breathing can still cause sleep disruptions and health issues.

3️⃣ Mixed (Complex) Sleep Apnea
This is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea. Though rare, mixed sleep apnea patients experience episodes of both types throughout the night.

If you suspect that you or someone you care about may be experiencing any form of sleep apnea, it’s important to talk to a sleep specialist. Noxify Sleep can help with advanced sleep diagnostics and support to get you back to healthy, restful nights.