Why You Need to be Concerned About Central Apnea

Central apnea is a very serious form of sleep apnea.  The reason that it is serious is because it is actually caused by a malfunction between the brain and the central nervous system.   People who suffer from central apnea need to be treated because this is a malfunction of the lower brainstem.  The part of the brain that is affected is the part that controls breathing, which means the respiratory system doesn’t work the way it should.   

Patients with central apnea may not breathe for extended periods of time, for instance, as long as a minute.  After this cessation in breathing they may start to inhale quickly, which makes exhaling difficult because the brain is unable to deliver the appropriate messages to the appropriate muscles.  It is important to understand the basics of this condition if you or a family member has been diagnosed. 

Causes and Risk Factors Associated with Central Apnea 

Central apnea is often caused by an injury to the brainstem or even a severe illness.  Many people begin to suffer from the condition after having experienced bulbar poliomyelitis, encephalitis, stroke, or even a neurodegenerative illness. 

It may also occur in those who have arthritis as well as degenerative changes in the cervical spinal column.  This is often a condition that is not found right away, but when it is suspected the individual should be admitted to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment. 

Treatment of Central Apnea 

When the central apnea is caused by an injury to the brainstem, there is usually not much to do to cure the problem.  The doctors will attempt to manage the apnea with medications, but generally a full recovery should not be expected.  If the condition is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotic treatment should be used. 

Anti depressants are usually prescribed to regulate breathing, but this may take awhile until it is effective.  The CPAP machines that are often used with other forms of sleep apnea have been found to be ineffective in treating central apnea. 

In some cases central apnea can be cured, but this is only in cases where the condition that is causing the apnea can be treated.  The neurological system is quite fragile and because of this, when a malfunction takes place doctors can only manage the symptoms but are unable to actually cure the problem. 

Work closely with your doctor to determine what can be done for your case of central apnea.