Central sleep apnea (CSA) happens when your brain doesn’t send the right signals to the muscles that control breathing during sleep. That means breathing stops or becomes very shallow, even though the airway itself is open. CSA is less common than obstructive sleep apnea, but it can still cause daytime tiredness, poor concentration, and other health problems if you ignore it.
Typical signs include pauses in breathing during sleep noted by a partner, frequent awakenings, gasping or short snoring, morning headaches, and strong daytime sleepiness. You might also wake up feeling breathless or notice mood swings and trouble focusing. Because CSA symptoms overlap with other sleep disorders, a clear history and sleep testing are needed to tell them apart.
CSA is usually linked to problems with the brain’s respiratory control. Common causes include heart failure (especially with a pattern called Cheyne-Stokes breathing), stroke or other neurological disease, and long-term opioid use. High altitude and certain medications can trigger CSA too. Older adults and people with serious heart or neurological conditions are at higher risk.
Doctors will look at your medical history, medications, and symptoms to decide whether CSA is likely. A sleep study (polysomnography) in a lab is the standard test because it records breathing, oxygen levels, and brain activity. Home sleep tests can miss CSA or confuse it with obstructive sleep apnea, so lab testing is often recommended when CSA is suspected.
Treatment focuses on stabilizing breathing and treating any underlying cause. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) helps many people by keeping breathing regular and improving oxygen levels. Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) can be more effective for some types of CSA, but it is not recommended for certain patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction—your sleep specialist will advise whether ASV is safe for you. Supplemental oxygen at night can also reduce pauses in breathing for some people.
Medical teams may adjust or stop medications that contribute to CSA, especially opioids. If heart failure or a neurological condition is the root cause, treating that condition often improves sleep breathing too. Drugs like acetazolamide or theophylline are sometimes used, but they come with side effects and are chosen selectively.
Simple self-care can help: avoid alcohol and sedatives near bedtime, keep a regular sleep schedule, and treat nasal congestion so therapy devices work better. Track symptoms and medications, and bring notes to your doctor—details help the sleep team pick the right test and therapy.
If you suspect central sleep apnea—especially if you have heart disease, stroke history, or use opioids—ask your primary doctor for a referral to a sleep specialist. Severe daytime sleepiness, chest pain, or breathless episodes that wake you suddenly deserve prompt medical attention. With the right testing and a clear plan, CSA can be managed so you sleep better and feel safer during the day.
Central sleep apnea can turn a night's rest into a nightly struggle. Amiloride, better known as a diuretic, has recently caught some attention for its possible role in treating this tricky sleep condition. This article looks at how amiloride interacts with the body's breathing systems and why some researchers think it could help people with central sleep apnea. You'll walk away knowing what makes amiloride unique and where things stand for future treatments. Whether you're dealing with sleep apnea yourself or just curious about new options, this article keeps it clear and real.
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