Apnea

The transient cessation of respiration, characterized by a complete absence of airflow through the upper airway and loss of effective ventilatory effort for a discrete interval, which may occur during sleep or wakefulness and can precipitate hypoxemia and hypercapnia.

Causes

• Obesity

• Inherited anatomical factors (narrow throat)

• Sleeping position

• Drugs (alcohol, opiates, sedatives)

Central Sleep Apnea is rare and not due to a mechanical blockage, but rather caused by:

• Heart failure

• Stroke

• Brain tumor

• Neuromuscular disorders

• Opioids disrupting the cerebral signals to the breathing muscles