If you’ve been told you have sleep apnea, you may not realize that “sleep apnea” is actually an umbrella term covering more than one distinct condition. The two most common forms — obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea — share some surface similarities, but they have very different underlying causes and respond to different treatments. Understanding the distinction is an important step toward making sure you receive the right care.

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is by far the more common of the two conditions. It occurs when the muscles and soft tissues in the throat relax during sleep and collapse inward, physically blocking the airway. Breathing slows or stops until the brain briefly rouses the body to restore airflow, a cycle that can repeat dozens or even hundreds of times per night, often without the person ever fully waking.

Common signs of OSA include loud snoring, gasping during sleep, morning headaches, dry mouth, and excessive daytime fatigue.

What Is Central Sleep Apnea?

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a considerably less common condition with a fundamentally different cause. Rather than a physical obstruction, CSA occurs when the brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles responsible for breathing. The airway itself is open; the body simply doesn’t receive the instruction to breathe. CSA is often associated with underlying conditions such as heart failure, stroke, or neurological disorders, and notably does not typically involve loud snoring.

How Treatment Differs Between the Two

For obstructive sleep apnea, effective treatment options include:

• Oral appliance therapy: A custom mandibular advancement device (MAD) fitted by Dr. Passamano gently repositions the lower jaw to keep the airway open during sleep, making it an excellent option for mild to moderate OSA or for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP.
• CPAP therapy: A device delivers pressurized air through a mask to prevent airway collapse, and remains the most widely prescribed treatment for moderate to severe OSA.
• Lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, positional therapy, and reducing alcohol consumption can meaningfully reduce OSA severity.

For central sleep apnea, treatment is more complex and primarily managed by a sleep physician. Because the problem originates in the brain’s signaling rather than the airway, oral appliances are generally not effective for pure CSA. Treatment may include adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV), BiPAP therapy, supplemental oxygen, or addressing the underlying medical condition driving the CSA.

Why an Accurate Diagnosis Matters

Because OSA and CSA require such different approaches, a formal sleep study is essential before any treatment begins. At My Dentist Joe, Dr. Passamano works collaboratively with sleep physicians to ensure that every patient receives an accurately targeted treatment plan.

If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea or suspect you may have it, we’re here to help. Call our Irvine office at (949) 572-7708 or request an appointment online today.