Mixed/complex sleep apnea

What is Mixed/Complex Sleep Apnea?

Mixed or complex sleep apnea is a combination of two types of sleep disorders: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA). It occurs when a person experiences both the airway blockage seen in OSA and the lack of respiratory effort observed in CSA, leading to a more complex condition than either of the two disorders alone

In Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the muscles in the throat relax excessively during sleep, causing partial or complete blockage of the upper airway. This interruption in airflow triggers brief awakenings, preventing restful sleep. On the other hand, Central Sleep Apnea happens when the brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles responsible for controlling breathing, causing pauses in breathing despite no physical blockage of the airway

When these two conditions coexist, it creates a mixed sleep apnea pattern, where the individual might experience episodes of both airway obstruction and absent breathing signals. This makes diagnosis and treatment more challenging, as it requires addressing both mechanisms that cause the sleep disturbances

Symptoms of Mixed Sleep Apnea include loud snoring, choking or gasping for breath during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and morning headaches. The severity of mixed sleep apnea can vary, but it often leads to poorer sleep quality and significant health risks, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke

Treatment options for mixed sleep apnea typically involve positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, like CPAP or BiPAP machines, which help regulate airflow and breathing patterns. In some cases, surgery or adaptive servoventilation (ASV) devices may be recommended for those with more complex or severe symptoms

Proper diagnosis and early treatment are crucial to managing mixed sleep apnea effectively and improving overall sleep quality and health