Central Sleep Apnea: Understanding Brain-Based Breathing Disorders

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a less common but serious sleep disorder where the brain temporarily fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing during sleep. Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, which involves a physical blockage of the airway, central sleep apnea is a neurological condition.

While CSA accounts for only about 5-10% of all sleep apnea cases, it can be just as disruptive to sleep quality and overall health as obstructive sleep apnea.

How Central Sleep Apnea Occurs

During normal sleep, the brain's respiratory control center continuously sends signals to the diaphragm and other breathing muscles to maintain regular breathing. In central sleep apnea, this signaling process is disrupted, causing breathing to pause or become very shallow for periods of 10 seconds or longer.

Causes and Risk Factors

• Heart conditions: Congestive heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases
• Neurological disorders: Stroke, brain tumors, or brainstem injuries
• Medications: Opioid pain medications can suppress breathing centers
• High altitude: Lower oxygen levels can trigger central apneas

Treatment Options for Central Sleep Apnea

Treatment varies depending on the underlying cause and severity. Common approaches include Adaptive Servo-Ventilation (ASV), Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP), supplemental oxygen, medication adjustment, and treating underlying conditions.