Sleep apnea is a type of sleep disorder where breathing stops and starts consistently. Due to this, the individual is unable to get good quality sleep. This condition is serious and, if left untreated, it can be fatal. But, despite it being a common sleep disorder, there is a general lack of awareness about this condition. Let’s discuss the types of sleep apnea and the risk factors to get better clarity of this disorder.

Different types of sleep apnea
There are three different types of sleep apnea that affect individuals across the world. These include:

1. Obstructive sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most commonly occurring type of sleep apnea. In this type, individuals are unable to breathe due to their upper airway being entirely or partially blocked. This blockage is induced when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses while sleeping.

2. Central sleep apnea
This is the second type of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is caused due to poor or lack of communication between the brain and the muscles that control breathing.

3. Complex/Mixed sleep apnea
This type, as the name suggests, is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea. It is also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea. This type of sleep apnea can lead to poor quality sleep as the individual keeps waking up during the night to resume breathing.

It is imperative to note that sleep apnea is a relatively common condition and affects a large portion of the American population. It is a severe medical condition and can lead to multiple complications, especially if left untreated.

Risk factors of sleep apnea
Almost anyone can develop sleep apnea. This includes adults, teenagers, and elders, and even children. But, there are certain factors that can increase the risk of this condition. These factors can also vary depending on the type of sleep apnea:

Risk factors that can lead to obstructive sleep apnea include:

1. Excessive weight gain
One of the most common risk factors that can contribute to the development of sleep apnea is excess weight gain. Excessive weight can lead to the constriction of the throat due to fat deposits.

2. Smoking
Smoking has many adverse effects on the body. One of these effects is sleep apnea. In fact, studies have shown that those who smoke are three times more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea than those who do not. It can also increase inflammation as well as fluid retention in the upper airways.

3. Gender
Studies have shown that males are more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea compared to females.

4. Narrow airway
Genetically, some individuals have narrow airways compared to others. This puts them at higher risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea than those who have wider airways.

5. Nasal congestion
Individuals who have trouble breathing through their nose due to faulty anatomy or allergies are also prone to sleep apnea.

Risk factors for central sleep apnea include age, gender, heart disorders, pain medications, and stroke.