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Is Your CPAP Machine Not Helping? You May Have Complex Apnea
The CPAP machine is the most effective treatment for the sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, a segment of OSA sufferers experience limited or no relief using
sleep apnea machines. A recent study may reveal the reason: complex apnea.
The Types of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition where a sleeper stops breathing during sleep. Until recently, sleep physicians recognized two types of sleep apnea: obstructive and central.
In central apnea, the sleeper stops trying to breathe. There is no signal to take a breath. We all stop breathing periodically during sleep. After a time, the breathing reflex is triggered and we resume breathing without realizing there was a problem. The problem in central apnea is that people stop breathing more often and for longer periods.
Obstructive sleep apnea is the more common of the two. In this case, the sleeper tries to breathe but the airway becomes blocked. Usually this is because of the collapse of soft tissue and is more prevalent in obese sleepers. The sleeper struggles to breathe, snoring or gasping during sleep.
New studies reveal a third type of apnea. Complex apnea acts as a combination of the two types, involving both obstruction of the airway and suspension of the breathing reflex. This makes it more difficult to treat effectively.
CPAP Machines
The most successful treatment of OSA has been the central positive pressure (CPAP) machine. The machine uses a stream of normal room air to hold open the airway, allowing the sleeper to breathe normally and sleep deeper.
Historically, sleep researchers have seen that some OSA patients have exhibited symptoms of central apnea while using the sleep apnea machine. CPAP may still help these patients depending on how much of their apnea is obstructive in nature. Others are helped by BiPAP machines, which function similarly to CPAPs but vary the pressure as the patient inhales and exhales.
Recent work has dubbed this mixed apnea as complex apnea, and sleep physicians are still struggling with the best treatment for this condition. Although it operates as though it is a combination of the other apneas, it may in fact be a third disorder.
Don’t Give Up
If your CPAP machine is not helping, you must inform your doctor. It may be something as simple as improper adjustment but it might be that you are suffering from complex apnea.
As mentioned, switching to a BiPAP machine might give you the relief you need. A new technology is also available called adaptive servo ventilation (ASV or VPAP). This has had some success treating complex apnea.
Even if you are helped by sleep apnea machines, you may still have complex apnea. There are numerous reports of patients who, after years of successful treatment, suddenly find their CPAPs stop providing restful sleep.
New information about complex apnea is appearing all the time so consult with your sleep physician if your apnea treatment is no longer working.
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