Cheyne-Stokes respirations are a kind of abnormal breathing pattern. People with this condition experience alternating periods of rapid breathing and deep breathing, plus a total stoppage of breathing, which is known as apnoea.
Medical researchers believe there may be links between Cheyne-Stokes respirations and central sleep apnoea, a condition where the brain is unable to effectively signal the muscles responsible for breathing when a person is asleep. However, these abnormal breathing patterns are not a factor in obstructive sleep apnoea, which occurs when the airways become obstructed at night.
With Cheyne-Stokes respirations, a person may experience the following:
These symptoms sometimes occur when a person is awake, but in most cases they happen while sleeping. That is why Cheyne-Stokes respirations are often mistaken for sleep apnoea.
In people with Cheyne-Stokes respirations, the brain is unable to identify rising levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, which causes rapid breathing to eliminate the chemical compound. However, should carbon dioxide levels sink too low, breathing slows down or even stops completely.
The majority of people who experience Cheyne-Stokes respirations are dealing with major conditions like heart failure and stroke. This breathing pattern can also result from brain trauma, brain tumours, and kidney failure.
Addressing the underlying medical cause is key when treating Cheyne-Stokes respirations, but supportive therapies can also be beneficial. In this case, medications can be used to speed up or slow down breathing as needed, while oxygen therapy ensures that sufficient oxygen is making its way to the lungs during the night.
In the event these treatments are not effective, bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines are another option. These devices make adjustments when a person is inhaling and exhaling for improved breathing. Phrenic nerve stimulation is usually reserved as a last resort treatment, and this therapy involves the implantation of a device that stimulates the phrenic nerve, which controls the diaphragm.