Central sleep apnea

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Definition

Central sleep apnea is a disorder in which your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to lack of respiratory effort. Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, in which you try to breath normally but can't because of upper airway obstruction, central sleep apnea occurs when your brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing. Central sleep apnea is much less common than other types, accounting for less than 10 percent of diagnosed sleep apneas.

Central sleep apnea may occur as a result of other conditions, such as heart failure and conditions that affect your nervous system (neurological conditions) such as stroke or Shy-Drager syndrome. Sleeping at a high altitude also may cause central sleep apnea. Signs and symptoms of central sleep apnea include difficulty staying asleep, abrupt awakenings accompanied by shortness of breath and daytime sleepiness.

Treatments for central sleep apnea may involve using a device to keep your airway open or using supplemental oxygen.

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Symptoms