Obstructive vs central sleep apnea: what's the difference?
Last updated: 2026-09-06
Quick answer
In obstructive sleep apnea the airway physically collapses while breathing effort continues — the common type. In central sleep apnea the brain briefly stops sending the signal to breathe, so effort pauses too. A sleep study distinguishes them by whether breathing effort continues during pauses; treatment differs, so the distinction matters.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
OSA is by far the most common form. The airway collapses despite the body still trying to breathe — the chest and abdomen keep moving against a blocked airway. Snoring, gasping and daytime sleepiness are typical, and CPAP is the standard treatment.
Central sleep apnea (CSA)
In CSA the drive to breathe pauses, so airflow and effort stop together for a moment. It is less common and linked to heart failure, certain medicines and other conditions. Treatment is different from OSA and directed by a specialist.
How testing tells them apart
A sleep study that records breathing effort (as a Level 3 test does, via the chest band) can show whether effort continues during a pause — pointing to obstructive — or stops — pointing to central. Mixed patterns can occur, and a doctor interprets the detail.
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