Patient/caregiver were instructed regarding lifestyle measures for individuals with central sleep apnea as follows:
- Individuals with history of poorly managed cardiac conditions, such as, heart failure and arrhythmias, can present with compromised pumping activity of the heart. This can result in reduced amount of blood pumped out of the heart and consequently, deficient blood supply to the vital organs, such as, brain. Reduced blood supply to the brain can lead to compromised brain function and poor signal transmission to the muscles controlling the respiratory activity, thus contributing to development of central sleep apnea. Individuals with history of heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias must observe close compliance with prescribed medication intake, dietary & fluid intake limitations if any recommended, and follow-up with cardiologist visits. Effectively controlling the cardiac conditions & arrhythmias from further progression & worsening can help reduce the episodes of central sleep apnea.
- Individuals with history of head injury, secondary to falls/accidents/and other causes, can present with abnormal or deficient brain function, poor signal transmission to the muscles controlling the breathing, thus contributing to development of central sleep apnea. Caregivers of individuals with head injury must keep a close watch for development of symptoms of central sleep apnea and report to the physician on their notice for an early intervention. Decluttering the house, clearing the obstacles out of the path of the individual, encouraging compliance with use of assistive devices, and offering caregiver assistance to the individual for ADL/IADL performance, as needed, can all help towards preventing further fall & accident incidents and reducing the chance for presentation with central sleep apnea.
- Individuals with sleep apnea must observe compliance with participation in repeat sleep studies, as ordered by the physician. This helps to monitor one’s response to the management measures currently in place. Participation in sleep studies can also help with monitoring poorly controlled or worsening symptoms of sleep apnea, so that, plan of care could be accordingly altered.
