Patient/caregiver were instructed regarding signs and symptoms of central sleep apnea as follows:
Central sleep apnea is a type of sleep apnea with dysfunction at the level of brain being the major contributory factor. Poor signaling from the brain to the major respiratory muscles result in poor control & regulation of the respiratory activity, resulting in central sleep apnea with the following signs and symptoms.
- Cessation of breathing: Poor signaling to and compromised regulation of respiratory muscle activity result in sudden cessation of breathing effort. This period of lack of breathing effort is called apnea. This leads to poor gas exchange with reduced oxygen pick-up for the tissues and increased carbon dioxide retention.
- Snoring: Individuals with central sleep apnea can present with snoring, but often is a less common finding in comparison to individuals with obstructive sleep apnea.
- Abrupt awakenings with gasping for air: Individuals with central sleep apnea can present with multiple apneic spells during the night, with compromised or complete cessation of breathing effort. Lack of breathing effort during the apneic spell can lead to individual’s abrupt awakening from sleep, gasping for air.
