Sleep apnea, central
A breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the breathing muscles to initiate respirations. Central sleep apnea is less common than obstructive sleep apnea. Diagnosis is by observation, patient history, and polysomnography. Treatment depends on the patient’s medical history and the cause of sleep apnea. Options include lifestyle changes, dental appliances, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and various types of surgery to correct physical defects that contribute to sleep apnea.
Read Also:
- Sleep apnea, obstructive
central and obstructive. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the breathing muscles to initiate respirations. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when air cannot flow into or out of the person’s nose or mouth although efforts to breathe continue. Obstructive sleep apnea is much more common than central sleep […]
- Sleep disorders
Any disorder that affects, disrupts, or involves sleep. The most common sleep disorder is probably snoring, although it is usually not medically significant. Insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and sleepwalking are also sleep disorders. Most large medical centers have diagnostic and treatment facilities dedicated to sleep disorders. See also sleep apnea, sleepwalking, snoring.
- Sleep drug
Any drug used to help sleep. Most prescription sleep drugs are sedative hypnotic agents. They include Valium, Xanax, Restoril, Ambien, and Sonata.
- Sleep hygiene
McGraw-Hill Professional, 2008.
- Sleep restriction therapy
A type of therapy in which the number of hours of sleep are restricted. Sleep restriction therapy is used in insomnia. Some people with insomnia spend too much time in bed unsuccessfully trying to sleep. They may benefit from a sleep restriction program that at first allows only a few hours of sleep during the […]