Central Sleep Apnea

Causes

The central form of the disorder affects only about 5 percent of all sleep apnea sufferers, usually is caused by an underlying health problem. Often, this health issue affects the brain stem, which in turn controls breathing.

Some of the medical problems that can lead to this type of sleep disorder include:

• encephalitis
• Parkinson's Disease
• arthritis at the base of the skull
• obesity
• stroke
• certain medications
• congestive heart failure
• sleeping at high altitude

Symptoms

Many of the symptoms of this form of sleep disorder are the same as obstructive sleep apnea. They include noticeable disruptions of breath during sleep, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, snoring, and headache.

Additionally, people who suffer from this disorder may experience difficulty swallowing, voice changes, or weakness or numbness in other areas of the body. They may breathe better when they are sitting up as opposed to lying down.

Treatment

Treatment for central sleep apnea usually consists of a sleep study, which may be performed at a qualified sleep center. You may need to spend the night in order to be observed. Once diagnosed, the sleep disorder may be treated with continuous positive airway pressure, which is known as a CPAP machine. A newer airflow device known as Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) may also be used.

Occasionally drugs to stimulate breathing may be required. If the problem is caused by an underlying disease, treatment of that disorder may also help. You may also need a heart specialist or nervous system specialist if your condition points to problems in those areas of the body. It is critical to see a physician right away if you are experiencing problems breathing during sleep.

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