When it comes to your health, you shouldn’t be left out in the dark because you don’t understand certain terms of phrases being used by your doctor. Here at CPAP Central, we want you to be prepared and be able to understand everything regarding your sleep apnea, so we’re providing you with a list of common terms to help you out.
Sleep apnea- a sleep disorder during which a person stops breathing for periods of time throughout the night.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)- the most common type of sleep apnea in which the airway is blocked by the soft tissue at the back of the throat, causing periods of non-breathing.
Central sleep apnea (CSA)- a form of sleep apnea caused by the brain not sending the right signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Apnea- Greek for “without breath,” this is what can happen up to a hundred times per night for anywhere from two to 10 seconds in someone with sleep apnea.
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure)- the most common treatment for sleep apnea. Pressurized air at one specified level is blown into a person’s airway to keep it from collapsing.
Bi-level PAP- another treatment for sleep apnea, usually reserved for more severe sleep apnea. It uses two different air pressures (hence the “bi” prefix), one for inhaling and one for exhaling.
Polysomnography- a non-invasive sleep study used to determine if you have a sleep disorder. It monitors brain activity, eye movement and other factors during sleep.
There are many other terms used when referring to sleep apnea and CPAP therapy and equipment. The experts at CPAP Central can help you if you have any questions regarding specific products. Visit our Online Store today or come by our store for assistance in getting on the path to treatment for your sleep apnea.