2 kinds of "Sleep Apnea"

[Sparticus]

More of a question than a statement but it seems that some people who have lost lots of weight can rid themselves of sleep apnea but what about us that were thin to start with?

I know losing weight for me wont make any difference so maybe its time that some studies are done to see if like diabetes there is a type 1 and type 2.

[Sleep2Snore]

There is already!
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and Central Sleep Apnoea, do you want a third?
It might only work against us if there was!

[Sparticus]

There is already!
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and Central Sleep Apnoea, do you want a third?
It might only work against us if there was!

I meant 2 kinds of OSA. How can some be cured when its not curable, how can some overweight people lose weight and lose their OSA? Some doctors say its incurable but some say there cured and now I have a headache

[Sleep2Snore]

Aye, well some I know lost a lot of weight and say they no longer suffer from it, others have lost huge amounts of weight, so much so I didn't recognise them!
They are like bean poles now, but still have OSA?

[Sparticus]

Its the one thing that I don't understand about OSA, if its not curable whats going on?

[silvercarper]

Aye, well some I know lost a lot of weight and say they no longer suffer from it, others have lost huge amounts of weight, so much so I didn't recognise them!
They are like bean poles now, but still have OSA?

What if OSA was caused by a injury. Would that be another type

[Simone @ Intus]

Being over weight is the main cause of sleep apnoea, and the most well known, but there are several reasons as to why someone may have it, even if they are skinny as you say! For example, they may have large tonsils, a narrow airway, or excess tissue inside the mouth which when lying down, blocks the airway.

It is an interesting idea to have several sub categories of OSA specificially based on the cause, though having one does keep things simple!

[Sparticus]

Being over weight is the main cause of sleep apnoea, and the most well known, but there are several reasons as to why someone may have it, even if they are skinny as you say! For example, they may have large tonsils, a narrow airway, or excess tissue inside the mouth which when lying down, blocks the airway.

It is an interesting idea to have several sub categories of OSA specificially based on the cause, though having one does keep things simple!

Simple but confusing! because someone overweight has a chance of a possible cure but if that person reads its incurable they may not try. They say that being overweight will give you type 2 diabetes so why not have a type 2 OSA? I'm not fat so I know there's no cure for me but how many people are missing out because of this. I think its a valid point that should be address by the doctors.

[Simone @ Intus]

Yes it is true, I think it is quite risky to say that it can be 'cured' in some cases, as weight is such a changeable thing; they may then put it back on and potentially be back to where they were. And as you say, if people hear it cannot be cured then they may not be as likely to seek treatment knowing that they have to use it for the rest of their life. It is a tricky one!

Though as long as people know that there is help out there, hopefully they will go and seek it!

[Sparticus]

Yes it is true, I think it is quite risky to say that it can be 'cured' in some cases, as weight is such a changeable thing; they may then put it back on and potentially be back to where they were. And as you say, if people hear it cannot be cured then they may not be as likely to seek treatment knowing that they have to use it for the rest of their life. It is a tricky one!

Though as long as people know that there is help out there, hopefully they will go and seek it!

It just goes to show how important forums can be. Getting as much knowledge on an illness is priceless and probably why I'm always reading up on it and searching out new thinking. I do agree that have loads of OSA sub diagnosis can complicate things. I guess the best course of action for now is arming people with as much knowledge as possible and letting them know that if the person is overweight, you could alleviate your symptoms if you lose weight. I wish I could