What is the most common type of sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is indeed the most common type of sleep apnea encountered in clinical practice. This condition occurs when the muscles at the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open during sleep, leading to repeated interruptions in breathing. These interruptions can result in fragmented sleep and reduced oxygen levels in the blood, which are associated with several health complications, such as cardiovascular issues, daytime fatigue, and difficulties with concentration.

The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea is linked to various factors, including obesity, age, and anatomical features of the airway, making it a significant public health concern. In contrast, centrally induced sleep apnea, complex sleep apnea syndrome, and mixed sleep apnea are less common forms and involve different physiological mechanisms. Centrally induced sleep apnea results from a failure of the brain to send appropriate signals to the muscles that control breathing. Complex sleep apnea syndrome presents a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea, while mixed sleep apnea is a combination of the two types. These conditions pose their own challenges but do not match the frequency and impact of obstructive sleep apnea in the general population.