Central sleep apnea

Alternative names:

sleep apnea - central

Definition:

Cessation of breathing during sleep, caused by problems with the mechanisms that control breathing. This is different than the type of sleep apnea caused by problems with the physical structures involved in breathing (such problems include obesity and airway obstruction from enlarged tonsils and adenoids). Central sleep apnea is thought to be related to an inappropriate breathing response to levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood stream. It can be a life threatening condition. It is rare in children and relatively uncommon in adults.