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Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Health
- Tom's Guide
What is central sleep apnea and how can you tell if you have it?
Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a sleep disorder that is less common than obstructive sleep apnea, but it does have some similarities. In the US, CSA is estimated to affect less than 1% of adults over 40. It's a sleep disorder that is caused by a brief lack of communication between your brain and the muscles that control your breathing. CSA is also associated with underlying health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke and primary brain disorders. As with obstructive sleep apnea, it's important to get a diagnosis if you suspect you might have the condition. Undiagnosed CSA can lead to impaired quality of life, and it can also affect your cardiovascular health. We've spoken with a sleep scientist and a sleep medicine and pulmonary medicine specialist to find out more about this less common form of sleep apnea. 'CSA is a sleep disorder in which the brain fails to signal the muscles of respiration, primarily the diaphragm, to make an effort to take a breath,' explains Dr Peter G Polos, a sleep medicine and pulmonary medicine specialist at JFK University Medical Center in New Jersey. 'This can stop breathing for a period during the night, and it then spontaneously resumes normal breathing until the next cycle," he adds. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. "This can occur many times an hour during sleep.' Central sleep apnea can affect people of all ages, but it's more common in older adults, and those with certain health conditions. Some lifestyle factors can also increase your risk of developing CSA. The most common risk factors include: Dr Carleara Weiss, a sleep scientist and sleep science advisor at Aeroflow Sleep, explains that the main risk factor involves having an underlying medical condition, as this can impact the brain's ability to regulate breathing signals to the respiratory muscles. 'These conditions include cardiovascular diseases," she explains. This can include "stroke and congestive heart failure, chronic use of narcotic medication or substance abuse that suppresses the central nervous system, and neuromuscular diseases such as Parkinson's disease, myasthenia gravis (a chronic autoimmune condition), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).' But that's not an exhaustive list. Other conditions, like hypothyroidism and kidney failure can also increase the risk of developing central sleep apnea. 'The most common symptom is pauses of breathing during sleep that are most commonly noted by a bed partner,' says Dr Polos. 'Others include spontaneous awakenings due to shortness of breath, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches and concentration difficulties.' The most common symptom is pauses of breathing during sleep Dr Weiss adds that people may also wake during the night gasping for air. 'Other symptoms include mood swings, anxiety, depression, sexual dysfunction, and frequent nighttime awakenings,' she says. Cheynes-Stokes breathing can be another symptom of central sleep apnea. It's a cyclical breathing pattern that is characterised by periods of increase and decrease in breathing depth and periods of apnea (where there is a momentary pause in breathing). 'This pattern of breathing is often seen in people who have heart failure and other conditions that can affect the brain's ability to regulate breathing,' Dr Weiss adds. If you have any concerns that you may have signs of this sleep disorder, seeking a diagnosis is a priority. 'The first step is to see a sleep physician who will take a detailed history, review medication and carry out a physical examination,' explains Dr Polos. 'In the end, an overnight sleep study is often the next step to secure the diagnosis.' 'It is important to make this diagnosis because the consequences such as lower oxygen during sleep, can produce strain on the heart and lead to cardiac complications,' he adds. 'Untreated CSA is associated with fatigue and driving risk, concentration decline, and poor quality of life.' Additionally, others could notice changes in your sleep and your health before you realise you have any symptoms. 'If you or your partner have any questions or concerns about the quality or quantity of your sleep, and if those around you observe changes in your mood, energy, performance or concentration, seek advice from your primary care physician or a sleep specialist,' Dr Polos advises. Central sleep apnea treatments can help to improve the quality and quantity of your sleep and improve daytime symptoms. Here are some of the ways CSA can be treated. If you have mild symptoms of CSA, lifestyle changes might be all you need to do in terms of treatment. These include trying to lose weight if you are overweight, keeping active and exercising regularly, and practising good sleep hygiene. For example, making sure your bedroom is dark and quiet and going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. You may find sleeping on your side is helpful too. Making lifestyle changes along with taking prescribed medication may be enough to treat mild to moderate central sleep apnea. 'The first step should be to address any underlying medical conditions,' explains Dr Polos. 'For example, if the patient has heart failure, this needs to be medically managed, which by itself may correct the CSA. 'In addition, reducing or discontinuing any drug that may contribute to CSA must also be considered,' he adds. Treatments that can help to regulate abnormal breathing patterns such as PAP therapy are usually considered after lifestyle changes and medication have been tried, but symptoms of CSA continue. 'The primary mode of treatment is positive airway pressure,' says Dr Polos. 'The modalities can include bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) or adaptive servo-ventilation (AS)." "These are specialised methods of delivering positive pressure to the airways in CSA.' To treat CSA, traditional continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is often used, Dr Weiss explains. 'This provides the same pressure during breathing or a BiPAP can provide different pressure levels during inhalation and exhalation. 'Some patients may also qualify for surgery or phrenic nerve stimulation,' she adds, 'and in other cases, a combined therapy of PAP therapy plus medication may be recommended.'
Los Angeles Times
02-05-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Are Your Seasonal Allergies Getting Worse? These 7 Tips Can Help You Sleep Better
If your usual springtime sniffles have turned into a months-long battle against itchy eyes, nasal congestion, and sleepless nights, you're in good company. Longer pollen seasons and increasing pollen counts mean more people are dealing with the effects of allergies, especially at night. Allergy symptoms like congestion, sinus pressure, and itchy eyes can easily turn bedtime into a struggle. 'Allergy symptoms like congestion and sinus pressure can dramatically reduce your sleep quality,' says Dr. Carleara Weiss, PhD, MS, RN, a behavioral sleep scientist and advisor for Opera Beds. 'The less restorative sleep you get, the worse your body can respond to inflammation and environmental triggers.' Fortunately, these seven surprisingly simple tips could ease allergy symptoms and help you sleep better, even during peak pollen periods. It's tempting to unwind with a glass of wine or a beer, especially after a long day, but skipping it might be worth the effort, even if it's easier said than done. 'Alcohol raises histamine levels in the body, which can worsen nasal congestion,' says Weiss. Red wine, beer, and champagne are the biggest culprits thanks to their high histamine and sulfite content. Instead, stick to herbal tea or water in the evening. You'll wake up clearer and probably more hydrated, too. Late-night sweet tooth? We get it, reaching for fruit instead of cookies isn't always the most satisfying swap. Still, it could make a real difference. Pineapple and kiwi contain bromelain, an enzyme that helps break down mucus and soothe inflamed sinuses. Apples and berries pack quercetin, a natural plant compound with antihistamine effects. Together, they can support better breathing and reduce congestion by bedtime. 'These fruits are an easy, natural way to complement traditional allergy medications,' Weiss explains. Both turmeric and ginger are known for their anti-inflammatory powers. Add honey—a natural antihistamine—and you've got a calming bedtime tonic that helps reduce swelling in the nasal passages and throat. 'This combo helps soothe irritated airways and supports respiratory health,' says Weiss. Bonus: It can also help you wind down before bed. It might not be glamorous, but a swipe of petroleum jelly at the base of your nostrils can catch pollen before it enters your nasal passages. 'It acts like a pollen trap,' says Weiss. Just don't apply it to irritated or broken skin, since Vaseline doesn't contain water and can worsen dryness. Dust mites love your non-washable home decor. One way to kill them without a deep clean? Freeze them. Place soft items in a sealed bag and pop them into the freezer for 24 hours. 'This reduces the allergens you breathe in at night and may help soothe itchy eyes and skin,' Weiss says. You might not associate your feet with your sinuses, but rubbing diluted peppermint oil on your soles can help clear your head. 'Your feet have large pores and absorb the oil quickly,' Weiss explains. Peppermint oil contains menthol, a natural decongestant that helps open airways and soothe scratchy throats. Apply it to your feet and pulse points before bed for the best results. 'Aim to keep your room between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit,' Weiss advises. Warmer air can worsen inflammation and trigger more histamine release, while cooler temps promote better airflow and reduce nasal swelling. Just don't overdo it. Temperatures below 60 can irritate your lungs and upper airway. Dr. Weiss recommends getting a jump start on allergy season instead of reacting once symptoms appear. 'Don't wait for allergy season to arrive to start taking your antihistamine or trying these remedies,' she says. 'You can make simple changes around the home to keep allergies at bay.' A few bonus suggestions: Seasonal allergies can interfere with sleep, but you don't have to suffer through every night stuffed up and miserable. Small changes to your evening routine (from cooling down your room to drinking turmeric tea) can have a big impact on how you feel when your head hits the pillow. Your allergies might be seasonal, but your sleep shouldn't be. Click here for more information on Opera Beds
