Sleep disorders are of many types and they can be pretty hard to deal with. So, here is everything you need to know about a very unique type of sleep apnea, known as complex sleep apnea or mixed sleep apnea and when to visit a sleep clinic Damascus MD.
What Is Complex Sleep Apnea?
Complex sleep apnea, which is also known as treatment emergent central sleep apnea, is a type of sleep apnea that can occur while you’re under treatment for sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is defined as a condition in which you are asleep and breathing normally one minute and then the next, your breathing stops completely for a brief period of time. This is really scary to think about and even though you, as a patient, won’t be able to tell the difference or the fact that you have stopped breathing, your sleeping partner will surely notice it.
So, compel sleep apnea can emerge if you already have regular sleep apnea, which is quite frustrating. In fact, it’s a combination of central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea. You are already getting treatment for sleep apnea and now you have to deal with this too, while you’re under treatment. If that isn’t the epitome of frustration, then what is?
Anyway, complex sleep apnea is really common in people who already have complications in sleep and can’t sleep well at night. They already have issues with sleep, waking up in the middle of the night, and feeling anxious and out of breath. These are the classic signs of sleep apnea.
So, if you experience loss of breath during your treatment for sleep apnea, you know what it is, and you need to consult with your doctor about it right away, because this needs to stop.
Causes Of Complex Sleep Apnea
Before getting into the causes of complex sleep apnea, you have to know about the treatment of regular sleep apnea.
If you have sleep apnea, then the treatment will usually involve the use of a CPAP machine. It is a machine that regulates the flow and pressure of air through your breathing passages and makes everything normal and smooth.
So, a lot of the time, people assume that complex sleep apnea has to do with the CPAP machine itself. While there may be a possibility, it can’t be said for sure. Just like many sleeping disorders out there, there aren’t definitive causes for sleep apnea and complex sleep apnea is no different either.
It can be due to a lot of things, or it can be nothing at all, which is quite frustrating. Because if you don’t know how one thing is caused, you can’t really treat it, because it is like shooting an arrow in the dark.
As for complex sleep apnea, you have to have sleep apnea first. You will be under great stress when sleep apnea emerges, so it makes sense, but the actual cause of the disorder? That is highly difficult to pinpoint.
There can be effects of stress, anxiety, other sleeping disorders, like insomnia and restless leg syndrome, that have to do with the degradation of your breathing during sleep, but again, nothing can be said for certain.
It is best that you just monitor the symptoms and ensure that you are going to a sleep specialist Jessup immediately, because something is wrong and instead of trying to find out why it is caused, you need to skip this step and go straight to the mode of treatment, because that is going to help.
Symptoms Of Complex Sleep Apnea
Speaking of symptoms, you have to know the different signs of complex sleep apnea. Here are some of the very telling symptoms of this sleeping disorder.
Not Able To Breath During Sleep
The first and most obvious sign is that you will experience a shortage or complete loss of breath during sleep. However, the difference here will be that you will be wearing a CPAP mask, and the machine will notify you of the pressure change. That is probably the most common sign of complex sleep apnea and you have to keep this at the forefront when you’re getting a diagnosis from your doctor.
Fatigue During The Day
The next thing will be fatigue and your overall physical health. You will be very tired, you won’t feel like doing anything, and it will be very hard for you to do routine things. The reason why it happens is that sleep apnea also disrupts your sleep and you are jolted awake in the middle of the night.
This is not good at all and even though you might think that it doesn’t make a difference, it sure does, and you will see the effects on your body and your physical health in general.
Irritability, Mood Swings, And Loss Of Focus
You will also experience irritability, mood swings, and you will have loss of focus. You will feel very confused and hazy, as if you haven’t gotten any sleep. This is really telling for a lot of sleeping disorders, and complex sleep apnea is no different either.
Loss Of Appetite
You will not have an appetite at all. You will feel very nauseous and you will be unable to keep food down if you eat too much. This is not a good sign at all and you need to go and see a doctor right away before things get out of hand.
Treatment For Complex Sleep Apnea?
Once you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you will probably be prescribed a CPAP machine for your symptoms and for better sleep, and that is when complex sleep apnea will emerge too.
CPAP Machine With A Few Tweaks
Well, in most cases, doctors will recommend that you continue the CPAP machine treatment with a few tweaks and adjustments. This is for some time and then you will have to regularly check in with your doctor for the time being, unless there is any complication or the tweaked treatment is not working anymore.
Adaptive Servo-Ventilation (ASV Machine)
If CPAP is not working, then the doctor may suggest using an adaptive servo-ventilation machine. This is kind of a more advanced version of a CPAP machine, in which the machine regulates your breathing and then changes the pressure as needed on the spot.
This is one of the most common treatments for complex sleep apnea and this is something that will really help to regulate the pressure automatically, rather than you having to do it on your own. It is still a new treatment and there hasn’t been a lot of research to really gauge its benefits for people with complex sleep apnea, but it is worth a shot when you’re in a pinch.
BiPAP Machine
Lastly, you can use a Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure machine, also known as a BiPAP machine. A BiPAP machine works with two pressure levels. When you inhale, the pressure increases, keeping your airways open. And when you exhale, the pressure decreases, and this prevents the collapsing of the airways, which leads to breathing problem.
There are also other options in which the breaths are monitored and then backup rates are set to ensure that everything goes smoothly while you are sleeping away at night.
Conclusion
Sleep apnea has multiple types and now you know what complex sleep apnea is. Visit a sleep center Walkersville ASAP if you experience shortage of breath during sleep or any complications in your sleep apnea.
