Central sleep apnea (patient information)

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]

Overview

Central sleep apnea is when you repeatedly stop breathing during sleep because the brain temporarily stops sending signals to the muscles that control breathing.

What are the symptoms of Central sleep apnea?

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 neurological condition. Symptoms depend on the underlying disease and what parts of the nervous system it has affected, but may include:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Voice changes
• Weakness or numbness throughout the body

What causes Central sleep apnea?

Central sleep apnea often occurs in people who have certain medical conditions. For example, it can develop in persons who have life-threatening problems with the brainstem, which controls breathing.

Conditions that can cause or lead to central sleep apnea include:

• Arthritis and degenerative changes in the cervical spine or the base of the skull
• Bulbar poliomyelitis
• Complications of cervical spine surgery
• Encephalitis affecting the brainstem
• Neurodegenerative illnesses such as Parkinson's disease
• Obesity
• Radiation of the cervical spine
• Stroke affecting the brainstem
• Primary hypoventilation syndrome
• Use of certain medications such as narcotic-containing painkillers

A form of central sleep apnea commonly occurs in people with congestive 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.