When it comes to any medical condition, knowledge is the essential element of empowerment. Our patients have lives beyond their medical concerns. Great advice, emotional support and superior products and service are what they need to live life fully. Causes for Central Sleep Apnea include:

Cheyne-Stokes Breathing

Most commonly associated with heart failure and strokes.

Drug-Induced Apnea

Certain medications, such as opioids, can cause a disruption in breathing.

High Altitude Periodic Breathing

A change in oxygen at high altitudes can cause one to increase and decrease breathing rate.

Treatment-Emergent CSA

Some patients with OSA develop CSA while being treated with a CPAP.

Medical Condition CSA

Several medical conditions may cause CSA with non Cheyne-Stokes types of breathing.

Idiopathic CSA

No known cause for the CSA breathing disorder; however this is uncommon.

DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

Diagnosis of CSA is done during a polysomnography (or sleep study). This can be a diagnostic, split-night or titration sleep study. CSA treatments include addressing the associated medical conditions, decreasing opioids, positive airway pressure machines (CPAP, BiPAP, ASV) and/or oxygen therapy.

Written By:

Joselin Lockard, RRT

Frontier Home Medical Sales Representative

Grand Island and Kearney