&lt;h1 data-start=&quot;258&quot; data-end=&quot;300&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is Central Sleep Apnea?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;302&quot; data-end=&quot;474&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;We all know that breathing is something your body does automatically &amp;mdash; no thinking required. You&amp;rsquo;re asleep, you&amp;rsquo;re awake, you&amp;rsquo;re running&amp;hellip; your lungs keep doing their thing.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;476&quot; data-end=&quot;742&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;But sometimes, that automatic signal from the brain doesn&amp;rsquo;t come through as consistently as it should. That&amp;rsquo;s what &lt;strong data-start=&quot;591&quot; data-end=&quot;620&quot;&gt;central sleep apnea (CSA)&lt;/strong&gt; is: a sleep-related breathing disorder where the brain &lt;em data-start=&quot;676&quot; data-end=&quot;740&quot;&gt;briefly forgets to tell your breathing muscles to keep working&lt;/em&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;744&quot; data-end=&quot;867&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;It&amp;rsquo;s like a sleepy conductor &amp;mdash; every once in a while the baton slips, and the orchestra (your breathing) has a short pause.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;869&quot; data-end=&quot;1124&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Unlike &lt;strong data-start=&quot;876&quot; data-end=&quot;903&quot;&gt;obstructive sleep apnea&lt;/strong&gt;, which is caused by a physical blockage in the airway, central sleep apnea is all about the &lt;strong data-start=&quot;996&quot; data-end=&quot;1029&quot;&gt;brain&amp;rsquo;s communication signals&lt;/strong&gt;. The airway stays open &amp;mdash; it&amp;rsquo;s just that the signal to breathe doesn&amp;rsquo;t always show up on time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;869&quot; data-end=&quot;1124&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;1131&quot; data-end=&quot;1157&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Does It Happen?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1159&quot; data-end=&quot;1395&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Your brainstem (the part at the base of your brain) normally monitors carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in your blood. When it senses a change, it sends a message down to your breathing muscles &amp;mdash; like a dispatcher saying &amp;ldquo;Take a breath!&amp;rdquo;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1397&quot; data-end=&quot;1594&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;In central sleep apnea, that dispatcher is sometimes late with the message &amp;mdash; or misses it altogether. That means your breathing slows down or pauses briefly, even though your airway isn&amp;rsquo;t blocked.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;1596&quot; data-end=&quot;1637&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Some factors that may contribute include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1641&quot; data-end=&quot;1695&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Problems with the brain&amp;rsquo;s respiratory control center&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1698&quot; data-end=&quot;1719&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Certain medications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1722&quot; data-end=&quot;1771&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Medical conditions like heart failure or stroke&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1774&quot; data-end=&quot;1803&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;High altitude sleep changes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1806&quot; data-end=&quot;1871&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Aging (the brain&amp;rsquo;s breathing signals can become less responsive)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;1878&quot; data-end=&quot;1908&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Common Misconception&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1909&quot; data-end=&quot;2085&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1909&quot; data-end=&quot;1947&quot;&gt;&amp;ldquo;Sleep apnea means blocked airway&amp;rdquo;&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; that&amp;rsquo;s true &lt;em data-start=&quot;1962&quot; data-end=&quot;1991&quot;&gt;for obstructive sleep apnea&lt;/em&gt;, but in &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2000&quot; data-end=&quot;2023&quot;&gt;central sleep apnea&lt;/strong&gt;, the airway is open. The problem is the &lt;em data-start=&quot;2064&quot; data-end=&quot;2072&quot;&gt;signal&lt;/em&gt; to breathe.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1909&quot; data-end=&quot;2085&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2092&quot; data-end=&quot;2141&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Symptoms, Causes &amp;amp; When to Get Help&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2143&quot; data-end=&quot;2276&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Now that you know what central sleep apnea is, let&amp;rsquo;s talk about what it &lt;em data-start=&quot;2215&quot; data-end=&quot;2227&quot;&gt;feels like&lt;/em&gt; and when to check in with a healthcare provider.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2283&quot; data-end=&quot;2313&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Common Signs &amp;amp; Symptoms&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2315&quot; data-end=&quot;2487&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Because breathing irregularities happen during sleep, you might not notice symptoms right away. Your &lt;em data-start=&quot;2416&quot; data-end=&quot;2431&quot;&gt;sleep partner&lt;/em&gt; may be the first to observe them. Common signs include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2491&quot; data-end=&quot;2538&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2491&quot; data-end=&quot;2536&quot;&gt;Periods of stopped breathing during sleep&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2541&quot; data-end=&quot;2586&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2541&quot; data-end=&quot;2584&quot;&gt;Gasping or shortness of breath at night&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2589&quot; data-end=&quot;2622&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2589&quot; data-end=&quot;2620&quot;&gt;Waking up tired or unrested&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2625&quot; data-end=&quot;2660&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2625&quot; data-end=&quot;2658&quot;&gt;Daytime sleepiness or fatigue&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2663&quot; data-end=&quot;2690&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2663&quot; data-end=&quot;2688&quot;&gt;Trouble concentrating&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2693&quot; data-end=&quot;2716&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2693&quot; data-end=&quot;2714&quot;&gt;Morning headaches&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2719&quot; data-end=&quot;2755&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2719&quot; data-end=&quot;2754&quot;&gt;Insomnia or frequent awakenings&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2757&quot; data-end=&quot;2848&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Some people also have mixed symptoms if they have both central and obstructive sleep apnea.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2757&quot; data-end=&quot;2848&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2855&quot; data-end=&quot;2877&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Causes It?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2879&quot; data-end=&quot;2929&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Central sleep apnea can show up for a few reasons:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2931&quot; data-end=&quot;3112&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2931&quot; data-end=&quot;2982&quot;&gt;1. Problems with the Brain&amp;rsquo;s &amp;ldquo;Breathing Center&amp;rdquo;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;2982&quot; data-end=&quot;2985&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;This may happen after a stroke, brain injury, or certain neurologic conditions where the brainstem&amp;rsquo;s signaling gets disrupted.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3114&quot; data-end=&quot;3249&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3114&quot; data-end=&quot;3134&quot;&gt;2. Heart Failure&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3134&quot; data-end=&quot;3137&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Heart issues can affect how your body responds to carbon dioxide levels, which can trigger pauses in breathing.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3251&quot; data-end=&quot;3392&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3251&quot; data-end=&quot;3271&quot;&gt;3. High Altitude&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3271&quot; data-end=&quot;3274&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Sleeping at high elevations can make breathing patterns irregular &amp;mdash; especially in people not used to the thinner air.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3394&quot; data-end=&quot;3485&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3394&quot; data-end=&quot;3412&quot;&gt;4. Medications&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3412&quot; data-end=&quot;3415&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Certain drugs (like opioids) can affect your brain&amp;rsquo;s breathing drive.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3487&quot; data-end=&quot;3608&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Sometimes doctors can&amp;rsquo;t pinpoint an exact cause &amp;mdash; and that&amp;rsquo;s okay; they focus on managing the breathing patterns instead.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3487&quot; data-end=&quot;3608&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;3615&quot; data-end=&quot;3644&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;When to See a Provider&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;3646&quot; data-end=&quot;3728&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;It&amp;rsquo;s worth talking with a clinician if you or someone who sleeps near you notices:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3732&quot; data-end=&quot;3774&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Regular pauses in breathing during sleep&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3777&quot; data-end=&quot;3820&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Loud or unusual breathing sounds at night&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3823&quot; data-end=&quot;3853&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Excessive daytime sleepiness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3856&quot; data-end=&quot;3875&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Morning headaches&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3878&quot; data-end=&quot;3920&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Problems concentrating or memory changes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3922&quot; data-end=&quot;4106&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Because these symptoms can overlap &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;with other sleep disorders (and even heart or neurologic conditions), a sleep evaluation &amp;mdash; including &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4058&quot; data-end=&quot;4081&quot;&gt;sleep study testing&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; is often recommended.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3922&quot; data-end=&quot;4106&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;4113&quot; data-end=&quot;4138&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Is It Managed?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;4140&quot; data-end=&quot;4234&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Management typically focuses on supporting regular breathing during sleep and may include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4236&quot; data-end=&quot;4501&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4238&quot; data-end=&quot;4280&quot;&gt;Positive airway pressure (PAP) devices&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;4280&quot; data-end=&quot;4283&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4285&quot; data-end=&quot;4320&quot;&gt;Adaptive servoventilation (ASV)&lt;/strong&gt; for some cases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;4335&quot; data-end=&quot;4338&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4340&quot; data-end=&quot;4374&quot;&gt;Treating underlying conditions&lt;/strong&gt; (like heart failure)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;4395&quot; data-end=&quot;4398&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4400&quot; data-end=&quot;4426&quot;&gt;Medication adjustments&lt;/strong&gt; if certain drugs are a factor&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;4456&quot; data-end=&quot;4459&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4461&quot; data-end=&quot;4500&quot;&gt;Watchful monitoring with follow-ups&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4503&quot; data-end=&quot;4617&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Your clinician will look at your overall health, sleep patterns, and test results to tailor the best plan for you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4503&quot; data-end=&quot;4617&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;4624&quot; data-end=&quot;4647&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Friendly Takeaway&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4649&quot; data-end=&quot;4857&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Central sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing pattern where the &lt;em data-start=&quot;4716&quot; data-end=&quot;4769&quot;&gt;brain doesn&amp;rsquo;t always send the &amp;ldquo;breathe now&amp;rdquo; message&lt;/em&gt;. It&amp;rsquo;s different from ordinary sleep apnea but deserves attention when symptoms show up.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4859&quot; data-end=&quot;5060&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;If sleep feels tiring instead of refreshing &amp;mdash; or your partner notices pauses in breathing &amp;mdash; a sleep evaluation might help you hit the &amp;ldquo;refresh&amp;rdquo; button and get you sleeping (and breathing) better again.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Costochondritis: Chest Pain Causes, Symptoms & Relief Guide

Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD): Symptoms, Causes, and Care Guide

Coronavirus (COVID‑19): Symptoms, Causes & Prevention Guide

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Symptoms, Causes & Heart Health Guide

Central Sleep Apnea: Symptoms, Causes & Sleep Breathing Treatment Guide

Cervical Dystonia Symptoms & Causes

Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations: Symptoms & Causes Guide

Adult ADHD: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment Guide

Cellulitis Symptoms, Causes & Treatment for Skin Infections

Celiac Disease Symptoms, Causes & Gluten-Free Diet Guide

Cardiomyopathy: Symptoms, Causes & Types of Heart Muscle Disease

Cavernous Malformations Explained: Symptoms, Causes & When to Seek Care

Central Sleep Apnea: Symptoms, Causes & Sleep Breathing Treatment Guide

WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW