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For most people, the term "sleep apnea" conjures images of an overweight man laying on the couch, snoring, and turning silent between every few snores as his diaphragm attempts to draw air into his lungs, but the anatomy of his throat prevents it. After several hard sucks he appears to awaken just a bit, yawns or swallows, adjusts his head, and falls back into his snoring pattern.

For most people with obstructive sleep apnea, this is an accurate portrayal of their situation. However, another type of sleep apnea, called "central sleep apnea," can also cause sleep, breathing, and oxygen disturbances. While obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by an upper airway obstruction, central sleep apnea starts in the brain.

Breathing is a reflex that takes place when sensors in the brain detect that the carbon dioxide level in the blood stream is getting too high. As a reaction, the diaphragm moves down and the lungs turn into two giant vacuums. They draw air in through the nose and mouth, which provides oxygen to the rest of the body, and when they breathe out carbon dioxide is disposed of. In obstructive sleep apnea, the anatomy of the neck and throat cause the problem. As the sufferer tries to breathe, his or her crooked neck, swollen throat, or tongue blocks the airway and prevents the vacuum from taking place. The body recognizes this and wakes sleeping beauty just enough to correct the problem. With central sleep apnea, the same symptoms won't be present because the body isn't trying to take in air. It isn't breathing at all.

A person who suffers from sleep apnea may have the following symptoms which differ from obstructive sleep apnea:

Skipped breathing cycles during sleep
A sufferer of central sleep apnea may breathe normally for a time, then miss one or more breaths. They may return to breathing normally on their own, often at a faster rate to make up for decreased oxygen and increased carbon dioxide levels.

Headaches
The brain requires oxygen to function, and breathing normally provides stable, consistent levels of it. During central sleep apnea, the brain goes without oxygen during non-breathing periods, along with the rest of the body. Upon awakening, a sufferer may experience headaches.

Increased heart rate
When the body senses that it is not getting enough oxygen it tells the heart to pump more blood in an attempt to keep tissues adequately fed. If someone with central sleep apnea doesn't breathe to bring in oxygen, the heart rate may speed up in an attempt to compensate.

Central sleep apnea is difficult to diagnose on your own, and there are several external influences that can cause apnea intermittently. The long-term effects of sleep apnea can be severe and devastating, so if you think you may suffer from a form of sleep apnea, you owe it to yourself to contact your doctor to discuss your symptoms and treatment options.

Learn more about this author, Kimberly Dawn Wells.
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