Central Sleep Apnea: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

What are the symptoms of central sleep apnea?

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep. Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, which is caused by a blockage in the airway, central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

Symptoms of central sleep apnea may include:

1. Pauses in breathing during sleep: These pauses can last for a few seconds to minutes and may occur multiple times throughout the night.
2. Chronic fatigue: Waking up feeling tired, even after a full night’s sleep, due to the disrupted sleep patterns caused by the apnea episodes.
3. Morning headaches: Due to changes in oxygen levels and disrupted sleep.
4. Difficulty concentrating: Impaired cognitive function due to poor sleep quality.
5. Mood changes: Irritability, depression, or mood swings may occur due to sleep disruption.
6. Frequent nighttime awakenings: Often accompanied by shortness of breath or a sensation of choking or gasping for air.
7. Difficulty staying asleep: Waking up frequently during the night and having difficulty falling back asleep.

It’s important to note that not everyone with central sleep apnea will experience all of these symptoms, and the severity of symptoms can vary. If you suspect you have central sleep apnea, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

What are the causes of central sleep apnea?

Central sleep apnea (CSA) occurs when the brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing during sleep. The exact causes of this communication breakdown are not always clear, but several factors and conditions are associated with an increased risk of developing central sleep apnea:

1. Heart disorders: Conditions such as congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and stroke can affect the brain’s ability to regulate breathing during sleep.
2. Neurological conditions: Disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can disrupt the brain’s respiratory control centers.
3. Certain medications: Opioids, sedatives, and other medications that affect the central nervous system can suppress breathing and contribute to central sleep apnea.
4. High-altitude periodic breathing: People who live at high altitudes may experience periodic breathing during sleep, which can sometimes progress to central sleep apnea.
5. Cheyne-Stokes respiration: A specific breathing pattern characterized by gradual increases and decreases in breathing effort, which is often seen in heart failure and other conditions.
6. Obesity: Excess weight can lead to changes in respiratory function and increase the risk of sleep apnea, including central sleep apnea.
7. Age: Central sleep apnea is more common in older adults, possibly due to age-related changes in the brain’s respiratory control centers.
8. Gender: Men are more likely than women to develop central sleep apnea.
9. Certain medical conditions: Conditions such as kidney failure, hypothyroidism, and high-altitude periodic breathing can increase the risk of central sleep apnea.

It’s important to note that central sleep apnea can occur in people without any underlying medical conditions, and the exact cause can vary from person to person. Treatment typically focuses on addressing the underlying cause, if known, and may include lifestyle changes, medications, or devices to help regulate breathing during sleep.

What is the treatment for central sleep apnea?

The treatment for central sleep apnea (CSA) depends on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. Treatment options may include:

1. Treating underlying medical conditions: If CSA is caused by a medical condition such as heart failure or a neurological disorder, treating the underlying condition may help improve central sleep apnea.
2. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP): CPAP therapy involves wearing a mask over the nose or nose and mouth during sleep. The mask is connected to a machine that delivers a continuous flow of air, which helps keep the airway open and prevents apnea episodes.
3. Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV): ASV is a type of positive airway pressure therapy that adjusts the pressure of air delivered based on the patient’s breathing patterns. ASV is often used to treat central sleep apnea in patients with heart failure.
4. Oxygen therapy: Supplemental oxygen may be prescribed to help improve oxygen levels during sleep, especially in patients with conditions such as high-altitude periodic breathing or certain types of heart failure.
5. Medications: Medications such as acetazolamide or theophylline may be prescribed to help stimulate breathing in some cases of central sleep apnea.
6. Lifestyle changes: Losing weight, avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bed, and sleeping on your side instead of your back may help reduce the severity of central sleep apnea.
7. Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be recommended to treat underlying anatomical issues that contribute to central sleep apnea.

It’s important to work with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment for central sleep apnea based on the underlying cause and individual health needs.