What happens in central sleep apnea?
Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated episodes of pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses are caused by a lack of effort to breathe, rather than a physical obstruction in the airway.
During an episode of CSA, the brain fails to send signals to the muscles that control breathing. This causes the chest muscles and diaphragm to relax, and airflow stops. The pause in breathing can last for several seconds or even minutes.
Eventually, the brain recognizes that the body is not getting enough oxygen, and it sends a signal to the muscles to start breathing again. This often causes a loud snort or gasp.
CSA can disrupt sleep, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. It can also increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.
Causes
CSA can be caused by several factors, including:
* Medications: Certain medications, such as opioids and benzodiazepines, can suppress the respiratory drive and lead to CSA.
* Medical conditions: CSA can be associated with various medical conditions, including heart failure, stroke, chronic lung diseases, and neurological disorders.
* Obesity: Obesity is a risk factor for CSA. The excess weight around the neck can put pressure on the airway and make breathing more difficult.
Diagnosis
CSA is diagnosed with a sleep study, which is a test that records your brain waves, breathing, heart rate, and oxygen levels during sleep.
Treatment
The treatment for CSA depends on the underlying cause. Common treatments include:
* Lifestyle changes: Losing weight and avoiding alcohol and caffeine can help improve CSA.
* Oxygen therapy: Oxygen therapy may be prescribed to help you maintain adequate oxygen levels during sleep.
* Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy: CPAP therapy uses a machine to deliver pressurized air to the nose or mouth during sleep. This helps keep the airway open and prevents the pauses in breathing.
* Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct a physical abnormality that is causing CSA.