What Causes Central Sleep Apnea?

Central sleep apnea is the form of sleep apnea where the brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing during sleep. There are several different reasons why central sleep apnea develops, but no matter what the cause is, you should seek immediate treatment from our expert in sleep apnea in Thousand Oaks. Untreated sleep apnea can ultimately lead to heart attack or stroke, so it is best to reduce the symptoms before any further harm can occur.

 

There are certain risk factors that could increase your likelihood of developing central sleep apnea such as being male, being overweight, and being over the age of 40. However, anyone could develop the disorder. Central sleep apnea can also be associated with other conditions, including:

 

• Congestive heart failure

• Kidney failure

• Hypothyroid disease

• Neurological disease such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

• Damage to the brainstem caused by a stroke or injury

 

Anyone can come down with central sleep apnea, so be aware of the symptoms that include daytime sleepiness, mood problems, insomnia, morning headaches, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms are a sign that it is time to see our Thousand Oaks central sleep apnea expert.