Central sleep apnea is a rare sleep disorder where the brain fails to send signals to the respiratory muscles, causing breathing to stop for up to 20 seconds. Symptoms include fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and disrupted breathing patterns. It is treatable with CPAP and can be alleviated with weight loss, sleeping on one side, and avoiding alcohol and sedatives. High-risk factors include being male, over 40, and overweight, as well as having underlying diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
Central sleep apnea sleep disorder is characterized by the fact that the brain fails to send the correct signals to the muscles of the respiratory system that activate the breathing process. The lack of a signal from the brain, in turn, causes the individual with the disorder to stop breathing for a period of time, sometimes up to 20 seconds. Of all the various forms of respiratory-related sleep disorders, central sleep apnea is one of the rarest.
Because an individual may not be aware that they have central sleep apnea, there are several signs that can be identified during waking hours that may indicate the presence of the disorder. These can include ongoing chronic fatigue, difficulty staying asleep, or difficulty staying awake during the day. Other symptoms of the disorder may include sore throat and difficulty swallowing, morning headaches, lack of concentration, and declining mood. The most common side effect, of course, is disruption to the individual’s breathing patterns during sleep that others may witness.
While anyone can develop central sleep apnea, studies show that the highest risk factors are found in males over the age of 40 who are also overweight. This is mainly because this same group is also at high risk of heart attacks and strokes, two important elements that can contribute to the development of central sleep apnea. Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, and encephalitis are also susceptible to developing the disorder, as it is a common component of these various diseases.
Central sleep apnea is a treatable condition, particularly when it exists independently of a more complicated disease. The most common treatment involves the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This process involves delivering a low-pressure stream of air into your nose and mouth through a mask that you wear while you sleep. If the disorder exists in combination with another problem, such as heart disease, treating the underlying disorder often relieves the symptoms of sleep apnea.
For minor cases of central sleep apnea, there are several steps an individual can take to alleviate the effects of the disorder. These include weight loss, if applicable, sleeping on one side, and using over-the-counter nasal strips or sprays designed to keep the airways open during sleep. Alcohol and sedatives should also be avoided before bed, as they tend to promote sleep apnea-like side effects even without an underlying cause being present.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
