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Sleep and Aging
Sleep-disordered Breathing
Sleep Apnea: Two
Types
There are two kinds of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea and
central sleep apnea.
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Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when air entering
from the nose or mouth is either partially or completely blocked,
usually because of obesity or extra tissue in the back of the
throat and mouth. If these episodes occur frequently or are severe,
they may cause a person's sleep to be fragmented throughout the
night. This may disrupt their sleep and make them sleepy during the
day.
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Central sleep apnea is less common. It occurs when
the brain doesn't send the right signals to start the breathing
process. Often, both types of sleep apnea occur in the same
person.
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