There are three specific types of Sleep Apnea, Central (CSA), Obstructive (OSA) or mixed Sleep Apnea, a mixture of both Central and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Regardless of the kind of Sleep Apnea you suffer from it is likely you will be unaware of your condition.


Below are 5 falsely believed myths about Sleep Apnea, from the symptoms and diagnosis of the condition to the treatment.


1.Sleep Apnea is just snoring: Myth Sleep Apnea and snoring are often confused as the same thing but there are noticeable differences between the two. People who suffer from Sleep Apnea can wake up around 400 times a night after they have stopped breathing. The pauses or "Apnea's" can last from 10 to 30 seconds, often accompanied by a snort which is why snoring and Sleep Apnea often get confused as the same thing. These pauses in breathing can disrupt your sleep pattern making you more tired the following day.


2.Sleep Apnea is not dangerous: Myth The pauses in sleep can severely disrupt your sleep pattern, exhausting your body and mind. People with Sleep Apnea often wake up in the night gasping for breath, which can be very traumatic and as a result can cause the heart and cardiovascular system to over exert. The interruptions in breathing can also reduce blood oxygen levels drastically. Untreated Sleep Apnea can cause car accidents, work-related injuries and strokes.


3.Losing weight can help: Fact A person who is obese or overweight is more inclined to suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This is because of airway's surrounding muscle not being well toned causing your airway to be very narrow and restricted. Just by losing a fraction of your weight can drastically reduce your symptoms. Smoking can also increase the symptoms of OSA, so ask your doctor about products that will help you quit.


4. Only older people get Sleep Apnea: Myth Statistics show that over 17 million people in the USA endure Sleep Apnea. Although you are more likely suffer from the condition if you are over the age of 40, people of all ages, including young children have been diagnosed with this sleep disorder. However if you are overweight and male, you are more likely to acquire OSA. Sleep Apnea also tends to run through families.


5. CPAP is an effective treatment: Fact CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. A CPAP machine blows a strong enough stream of air through the airways via a mask keeping your airways open when you're asleep. The CPAP equipment is the most effective, non-surgical treatment for Sleep Apnea for alleviating the symptoms of Sleep Apnea. CPAP is the favourite method of treatment for adult sufferers of OSA. It has also proved to be extremely effective.


Now that a few myths have been corrected, if you think that you or maybe somebody you know suffer from Sleep Apnea, don't hesitate and visit your family doctor for advice on what to do next.