Central sleep apnea

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Central sleep apnea

Contents of this page:

Alternative names

Definition

Causes and risks

Prevention

Symptoms

Signs and tests

Treatment

Prognosis

Complications

Call your health care provider if

Alternative names

Sleep apnea - central; Ondine's curse Definition Return to top

Cessation of breathing during sleep caused by problems with brain mechanisms that control breathing. It is not the more common sleep apnea caused by obesity or other problems which results in loud snoring. Causes and risks Return to top

Central sleep apnea is rare in the general population. It occurs in patients with a variety of of severe and life threatening lower brain stem lesions such as bulbar poliomyelitis, encephalitis affecting the brainstem, neurodegenerative illnesses, stroke affecting the brainstem, complications of surgery of the cervical spine, or primary hypoventilation syndrome. The brainstem controls breathing. As a result, any disease or injury affecting this area may result in problems with normal breathing during sleep. Prevention Return to top

There is no known prevention of central sleep apnea. Symptoms Return to top

Cessation of breathing, especially during sleep. People with primary sleep apnea of unknown cause may have frequent awakenings and complain of insomnia. If a neurological condition is causing the apnea, it may also produce other symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, change in voice, variable weakness or numbness throughout the body depending on the underlying disease and what parts of the nervous system it has affected. Signs and tests Return to top

Respiratory function studies

All night polygraphic sleep monitoring

MRI

Tests to diagnose underlying medical conditionTreatment Return to top

If there is no respiratory drive as a result of an injury or disease of the brainstem, mechanical ventilation is the only treatment available to ensure continued breathing. Prognosis Return to top

Injury to the brain stem is life-threatening and prognosis is guarded as a result. Complications Return to top

Complications may result from prolonged mechanical ventilation and from the underlying disease causing the syndrome. Call your health care provider if Return to top

Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms that might be sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is usually diagnosed in already severely medically ill individuals.

Update Date: 08/08/01