This is one of the many dangerous aspects of sleep apnea. Once the airway is closed off, the harder a person tries to breathe, the tighter the airway becomes sealed. When the oxygen level gets too low, the classic gasping sound and deep breath occurs as the person violently throws the tongue off of the airway in order to breathe. Of course, reduced oxygen levels can cause serious medical problems. Oxygen levels is this range can precipitate heart attacks, strokes, and other serious medical problems.
T here are two types of sleep apnea.
One is Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the most common form. This type of apnea is characterized by having a physical obstruction of the airway, but the individual is still trying to breathe. Once the airway is open, one s breathing continues. The other type of sleep apnea is Central Sleep Apnea. In this condition the brain fails to send the signal to breathe.