Sleep apnoea causes a person to stop breathing numerous times each night and is associated with short- and long-term health issues. Obstructive forms of the disorder involve blockages and constricted lungs and airways, which can result from excess wait and anatomical differences. While central sleep apnoea causes similar effects, there are some important differences to keep in mind.
While you are asleep, your brain must send signals to the muscles in your chest to facilitate breathing. This response is triggered by a buildup of carbon dioxide within the blood, which is released on exhale.
When people have central sleep apnoea, their brain does not correctly respond to rising carbon dioxide levels. Breathing becomes restricted as a result, and the person wakes up to draw a breath. This cycle can happen numerous times during the night.
Central sleep apnoea can occur on its own, but it is often tied to an underlying health condition. Cardiovascular disease and neurological conditions are frequently linked to the sleep disorder, but people taking opioid medications are also at risk. On the other hand, obstructive sleep apnoea can occur in otherwise healthy individuals.
Obstructive and central forms of sleep apnoea can be treated with the same approaches. For many people, treatment entails use of a device with an attached face mask that delivers pressurized air into the lungs. If the condition is caused by another disease or disorder, treating the underlying ailment can also improve symptoms of sleep apnoea.