The 3 types of sleep apnea are obstructive, central, and mixed. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common caused by a blocked airway, which happens during sleep when the rear soft tissue in the throat collapses and closes while sleeping.
Central sleep apnea is caused by a failure of the brain to signal one’s muscles to breathe. Mixed sleep apnea is a mix of obstructive and central. Each one interrupts a person’s quality of sleep and can be dangerous if left untreated.