Central sleep apnea
Central sleep apnea Definition Central sleep apnea is when you stop breathing during sleep. It is caused by problems with how the brain controls breathing. This is not the more common obstructive sleep apnea, which is caused by obesity or other problems and involves loud snoring. Alternative Names Sleep apnea - central Causes Central sleep apnea usually occurs in people who are seriously ill. For example, it can occur in people with a variety of severe and life-threatening lower brain stem lesions. The brainstem controls breathing. As a result, any disease or injury affecting this area may result in problems with normal breathing during sleep or when awake. Conditions that can cause central sleep apnea include: * Bulbar poliomyelitis * Encephalitis affecting the brainstem * Neurodegenerative illnesses * Stroke affecting the brainstem Other causes include complications of cervical spine surgery, secondary radiation in the region of the cervical spine, severe arthritis and degenerative changes in the cervical spine or the base of the skull, or primary hypoventilation syndrome. There is a form of central sleep apnea that commonly occurs in people with congestive heart failure. Finally, idiopathic central sleep apnea is when the apnea is not associated with another disease. Review Date: 11/1/2004 Reviewed By: Allen J. Blaivas, D.O., Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2006A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. adam.com
Central sleep apnea Definition Central sleep apnea is when you stop breathing during sleep. It is caused by problems with how the brain controls breathing. This is not the more common obstructive sleep apnea, which is caused by obesity or other problems and involves loud snoring. Alternative Names Sleep apnea - central Causes Central sleep apnea usually occurs in people who are seriously ill. For example, it can occur in people with a variety of severe and life-threatening lower brain stem lesions. The brainstem controls breathing. As a result, any disease or injury affecting this area may result in problems with normal breathing during sleep or when awake. Conditions that can cause central sleep apnea include: * Bulbar poliomyelitis * Encephalitis affecting the brainstem * Neurodegenerative illnesses * Stroke affecting the brainstem Other causes include complications of cervical spine surgery, secondary radiation in the region of the cervical spine, severe arthritis and degenerative changes in the cervical spine or the base of the skull, or primary hypoventilation syndrome. There is a form of central sleep apnea that commonly occurs in people with congestive heart failure. Finally, idiopathic central sleep apnea is when the apnea is not associated with another disease. Review Date: 11/1/2004 Reviewed By: Allen J. Blaivas, D.O., Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2006A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. adam.com