August 29, 2014,
Central Sleep Apnea
Central sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing stops over and over during sleep.
Recent findings and perspectives on medical research.
Why we sleep, and what happens when we don't.
Back to TopAlternative Names
Sleep apnea - central
Back to TopCauses
Central sleep apnea results when the brain temporarily stops sending signals to the muscles that control breathing.
The condition often occurs in people who have certain medical problems. For example, it can develop in someone who has a problem with the brainstem, which controls breathing.
Conditions that can cause or lead to central sleep apnea include:
- Problems that affect the brainstem (the brainstem controls breathing) including brain infection, stroke, or conditions of the cervical spine (neck)
- Parkinson disease
- Certain medicines, such as narcotic painkillers
- Heart failure
If the apnea is not associated with another disease, it is called idiopathic central sleep apnea.
A condition called Cheyne-Stokes respiration can mimic central sleep apnea. This involves breathing to a variable depth, usually while sleeping.
Central sleep apnea is not the same as obstructive sleep apnea. With obstructive sleep apnea, breathing stops and starts because the airway is narrowed or blocked. But a person can have both conditions, such as with a medical problem called obesity hypoventilation syndrome.
Back to TopSymptoms
Persons with central sleep apnea have episodes of disrupted breathing during sleep.
Other symptoms may include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Daytime sleepiness
- Morning headaches
- Restless sleep
Other symptoms may occur if the apnea is due to a problem with the nervous system. Symptoms depend on the parts of the nervous system that are affected, and may include:
- Swallowing problems
- Voice changes
- Weakness or numbness throughout the body
Back to TopTreatment
Treating the condition that is causing central sleep apnea can help manage symptoms. For example, if central sleep apnea is due to heart failure, the goal is to treat the heart failure itself.
Devices used during sleep to aid breathing may be recommended. These include nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) or adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV). Some types of central sleep apnea are treated with medicines that stimulate breathing.
Oxygen treatment may help ensure the lungs get enough oxygen while sleeping.
If narcotic medicine is causing the apnea, the dosage may need to be lowered or the medicine changed.
Back to TopOutlook (Prognosis)
How well a patient does depends on the medical condition causing central sleep apnea.
The outlook is usually favorable for persons with idiopathic central sleep apnea.
Back to TopPossible Complications
Complications may result from the underlying disease causing the central sleep apnea.
Back to TopWhen to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is usually diagnosed in patients who are already severely ill.
Back to TopReferences
Aurora RN, Chowdhuri S, Ramar K, et al. The treatment of central sleep apnea syndromes in adults: practice parameters with an evidence-based literature review and meta-analyses. SLEEP . 2012;35:17-40.
Pien GW, Pack AI. Sleep disordered breathing. In: Mason RJ, Broaddus VC, Martin TR, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel’s Textbook of Respiratory Medicine . 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Saunders; 2010:chap 79.
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