Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea is a type of sleep apnea that occurs when the brain fails to send signals to the muscles involved in breathing. This type of sleep apnea is less common than obstructive sleep apnea, caused by other factors.

Cause of central Sleep Apnea

The cause of central sleep apnea is mainly linked to heart disease and other illnesses like lower brain stem lesions. Any damage in the brainstem will produce breathing issues when you are both awake and sleep. Other conditions that can cause central sleep apnea include neurodegenerative illnesses, encefalitis, bulbar polyomelitis, complications of cervical spine surgery, severe arthritis and primary hypoventilation syndrome.

The Symptoms of Central Sleep Apnea

The primary symptom is apnea, this means stopping to breath during sleep. Sufferers of central sleep apnea are more prone to remember the short awakening brought by sleep apnea, and complain of insomina.

This type of sleep apnea can present with another symptoms if it has an underlying condition.

Diagnosing and Treating Central Sleep Apnea

Exams and testing central sleep apnea include polygraphic sleep-monitoring, MRI, breathing studies and other tests that will help determine an underlying condition. Once yu are diagnosed with central sleep apena, treatment must be followed.

When the cause is heart disease, then the heart disease must be treated to eradicate any apnea problems. On the other side when its roots are brainstem problems or lesions, you will be given directions to use CPAP or sleep apnea machines that will allow you to breath during the night.