Sleep Apnea: What Is It & How To Get Relief
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. While often discussed as a single condition, there are actually multiple types of sleep apnea—and understanding which type you may have is key to finding the right treatment.
At Lyracore Pulmonary Health, our priority is to accurately diagnose the underlying cause of your symptoms so we can create a treatment plan tailored specifically to you. If you’ve been feeling tired, foggy, having trouble concentrating, having dry mouth in the morning or headache, among many other symptoms—even after what should have been a full night’s rest—you may be dealing with sleep apnea. Here’s what you should know about this common but often overlooked condition.
The Three Types of Sleep Apnea
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
The most common form, OSA, occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much to allow normal breathing. This blockage can cause repeated awakenings throughout the night—even if you don’t remember them. - Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
This type happens when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. It’s less common than OSA but can be just as disruptive and dangerous. - Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Also called treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, this condition is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea and typically appears when someone with OSA starts using a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine.
Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms are mistakenly attributed to other issues like stress or aging. Common signs include:
- Loud snoring
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Choking episodes
- Daytime fatigue or exhaustion
- Difficulty concentrating (“brain fog”)
- Morning headaches
- Mood changes or irritability
- Insomnia or frequent nighttime awakenings
- Worsening of control of other underlying health conditions such as asthma, hypertension, migraines, epilepsy, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, heart arrhythmia, obesity, chronic pain, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, elevated blood levels, among many others
Why It Matters
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health complications, including high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. It also greatly affects your quality of life—mentally, physically, and emotionally. The good news? You don’t have to live with it.
Get Relief at Lyracore
At Lyracore, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Founded by Dr. Alexandre Furman—who has decades of experience in pulmonary, internal, and critical care medicine—Lyracore is dedicated to delivering highly personalized care for every patient. Dr. Furman leads a team that includes Dr. Fabiano Lima Das Gracas and Dr. Ryan Floyd, two board-certified pulmonary specialists who share a deep commitment to patient-centered treatment and excellence in respiratory care.
We offer:
- Comprehensive sleep evaluations
- Personalized treatment plans, including CPAP and alternative therapies
- Telehealth and in-office consultations
- Fast appointment availability—typically within 2–3 weeks
Don’t wait to feel better. Contact our South Tampa or Sun City offices today to schedule your personalized consultation. Relief—and restful sleep—could be just a call away.
