Central Sleep Apnea: The Less Common Sleep Disorder
Confirm the Cause of Your Sleep Problems
While most people have heard of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA) is less common, and much less understood, affecting only about 0.9% of American adults. Still, despite its low occurrence, it is just as dangerous as OSA, and it’s just as important to treat it. Here’s more information about central sleep apnea treatment in Cumming.
What Is Central Sleep Apnea?
While both CSA and OSA cause repeated episodes during sleep where the patient is not breathing or has reduced breathing (known as apneas or hypopneas), CSA occurs because the brain does not send the correct signals to the muscles that control your breathing while you sleep. Conversely, OSA is caused by a blockage of tissues in the back of the throat.
Causes of Central Sleep Apnea
There are several conditions that could be responsible for your central sleep apnea, including:
- Medications: Certain narcotics including morphine and oxycodone are associated with breathing problems while sleeping.
- High Altitude: Central sleep apnea occurs more frequently in individuals who sleep at altitudes above 8,000 feet.
- Medical Conditions: Parkinson’s disease, heart failure, stroke, and kidney failure are all associated with a higher risk of CSA.
- Cheyne-Stokes breathing: This condition occurs in about half of all CSA patients and is defined as a cycle where the patient’s breathing speeds up, slows down, and then stops completely before restarting again.
In other cases, the exact cause of CSA is unknown, and is frequently referred to as idiopathic or primary CSA.
Possible Complications of Central Sleep Apnea
Though the biggest danger of CSA may seem like a restless night, the truth is it’s far more dangerous. CSA is associated with an increased risk of a number of serious health conditions, including:
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Uneven heartbeat
- Diabetes
- Stroke
Worse yet, if you are already struggling with a serious medical condition, CSA can exacerbate them and make them more difficult to control.
When Should You See a Doctor for Central Sleep Apnea?
It can be hard to tell when exactly to see a doctor for sleep apnea, especially since you may not even realize there’s a problem. However, if you constantly feel tired despite sleeping for at least eight hours, your partner has noticed that you stop and restart breathing repeatedly during sleep, or if you have serious risk factors for CSA, speak to your primary care physician about your concerns. They can evaluate your health and recommend next steps, including referring you to a sleep study, which can ultimately determine whether you have CSA.
Once you have received a diagnosis, you can learn more about your treatment options. Treating CSA can be complex, and the exact method will depend on what is causing the problem. In some cases, CPAP therapy and/or an oral appliance from your dentist may be beneficial, especially for patients with combined sleep apnea, a condition which occurs when the patient has both OSA and CSA.
Central Sleep Apnea FAQs
What are the Symptoms of Central Sleep Apnea?
Central sleep apnea in Cumming is characterized by pauses in your breathing that occur while you’re asleep. Of course, it can be difficult to identify this particular symptom on your own. If you have a bed partner, they can let you know if your breathing is being interrupted during the night.
Other potential warning signs of central sleep apnea include:
- Frequently waking up while gasping for air.
- Having trouble falling and staying asleep.
- Feeling excessively drowsy during your waking hours.
- Finding it difficult to focus.
- Experiencing mood changes.
Who is at Risk for Central Sleep Apnea?
You might have a higher risk of developing central sleep apnea if:
- You Were Born Male: In general, central sleep apnea occurs more frequently in men than it does in women.
- You are Over the Age of 60: The way the brain controls breathing during sleep can change as you get older. As such, individuals between the ages of 60 and 65 tend to be more likely to have central sleep apnea.
- You Have a Brain Condition: The brain’s ability to control your breathing while you’re asleep might be negatively impacted by a brain tumor or another type of brain condition.
- You Have a Heart Condition: Studies show that central sleep apnea is strongly linked to atrial fibrillation, which is a type of irregular heartbeat.
What is the Mortality Risk for Central Sleep Apnea?
Central sleep apnea has a relatively high mortality rate. Studies show that around a fifth of patients with this disorder die within five years of having the problem diagnosed. This can be attributed to the fact that central sleep apnea can significantly increase your risk for cardiovascular disease and other health issues that can put your life in danger. That said, having your sleep disorder diagnosed and treated by an expert can improve your chances of survival.
How is Central Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
Diagnosing central sleep apnea requires a sleep study, which is also known as a polysomnography. The study involves sleeping while you’re connected to specialized equipment. Throughout the night, this equipment will measure your heart rate, breathing patterns, and other vital signs.
A sleep expert can review the results of your sleep study and determine whether they point to central sleep apnea. You will only be able to pursue an appropriate form of treatment once a diagnosis has been made.
Is Snoring a Sign of Central Sleep Apnea?
Snoring is more commonly a side effect of obstructive sleep apnea, which is caused by an obstructed airway. That being said, central sleep apnea can sometimes result in snoring as well, although it may not be as loud or noticeable. If snoring is accompanied by other possible warning signs of sleep apnea, it’s advisable to have a sleep study performed as soon as possible.