Central Sleep Apnea is a disorder in which you struggle to breathe while you sleep. The Mayo Clinic explains:
“Central sleep apnea is a disorder in which your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Central sleep apnea occurs because your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing — unlike obstructive sleep apnea, in which you can’t breathe normally because of upper airway obstruction. Central sleep apnea is less common, accounting for fewer than 5 percent of sleep apnea cases.”
They make an important distinction between obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Central Sleep Apnea , the less common disorder, is often the result of other conditions like heart failure and/or stroke. It can also come from sleeping at high altitudes. The obstructive version is often a result of a narrow throat, large tonsils or tongue, or a large neck. It does not have to do with the brain sending signals to muscles like Central Sleep Apnea.
Symptoms of Central Sleep Apnea:
- Periods of stopped or abnormal breathing during sleep.
- Waking up abruptly because of these periods of “stopped breathing.”
- Insomnia
- Daytime drowsiness
- Morning headaches
- Snoring
Just because a person snores does not necessarily mean he/she suffers from any type of apnea. Snoring is more often a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea than Central Sleep Apnea. If you find yourself waking up because you couldn’t breathe it is probably a good idea to see a physician.
Risk Factors/Complications:
Central Sleep Apnea is more common in older men with heart disorders or who have suffered a stroke. Also if you are taking opioids like morphine, codeine, or oxycodone then you are more likely to experience CSA.
Other than making you tired (because you don’t get a good night’s rest) Central Sleep Apnea can cause cardiovascular problems. When you go through these periods of stopped breathing your blood oxygen levels dip down and that can take its toll on your heart, especially if you already have a heart condition.
Diagnosis:
Central Sleep Apnea can be diagnosed by several different specialists based on your symptoms. Sometimes they will conduct a polysomnography test (monitors breathing and other body functions during sleep) to confirm Central Sleep Apnea.
Treatment:
If you take opioids it would help to get off of them if possible. There are several gizmos and gadgets used to treat all types of sleep apnea. From masks to pumps, you can find the right product for you. Some people have found that supplemental oxygen (from a tank) can really help diminish Central Sleep Apnea. There aren’t too many medications for the treatment of Central Sleep Apnea. However, for those who live and sleep at a high altitude a doctor may prescribe acetazolamide.
Unfortunately, over-the-counter sleeping pills won’t do much to treat or diminish the effects of Central Sleep Apnea. But, if your CSA is compounded by insomnia and other sleeping disorders then you should consider trying some of our top rated sleeping pills.
