Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea (pronunciation: /ˈsɛntrəl/ /sliːp/ /æpˈniːə/) is a sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to lack of respiratory effort. Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, where the airway becomes blocked, central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

Etymology

The term "apnea" originates from the Greek word "apnoia," which means "want of breath." "Central" refers to the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord, responsible for controlling the body's functions, including breathing.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of central sleep apnea include:

• Insomnia
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Mood changes
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Frequent awakenings during the night

Causes

Central sleep apnea can be caused by various conditions that affect the ability of the brainstem, which links the brain and the spinal cord, to control breathing. These conditions include:

• Heart failure
• Stroke
• Neurological diseases
• High altitude

Treatment

Treatment for central sleep apnea may involve:

• Addressing associated medical problems
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
• Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV)
• Medications

See also

• Sleep disorders
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Insomnia
• Sleep deprivation

References

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Central sleep apnea
• Wikipedia's article - Central sleep apnea

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