Question Title: central sleep apnea?

Forum: Neurology Forum
Topic: Sleep

Posted by CCF Neuro MD on July 13, 1997 at 16:04:48:

In Reply to: central sleep apnea? posted by Nicki on July 05, 1997 at 15:11:48:

: Hi.........Im wondering if I could have central sleep apnea. Last year I went to the ER with beathlessness. The Dr. oncall said I had cold. But for the past year Iv contunied to have sysptoms. I get around 12 hours of sleep a night but am still veary tired. My fatige gets worse in late afternoon & evning. I wake up in the middle of the night gasping for breath......like I have been holding my breath for a long time. I have heart paplapations (mostly when I lay down at night) & I have to get my breath after even the smallest of activies. I would suppect obstuctive sleep apnea......but I dont snore, Im veary young, & I am my ideal wight. Could it be central sleep apnea?
Nicki

Dear Nicki:

Being young, healthy (I guess!), and of ideal body weight, as you know, puts you in the low risk category for obstructive sleep apnea, specially if you do not snore. Central sleep apnea is significantly less prevelant than obstructive sleep apnea. Also, the the latter disorder more commonly occurs in the context of a recognized underlying neurological disorder such as a posterior fossa brain tumor or other structural brainstem pathology, neurodegenerative disease, autonomic neuropathy, or muscular dystrophy and related disorders. While your symptoms are somewhat suggestive of sleep apnea, it is possible that you have some other sleep disorder, or none at all. You might even have a primary pulmonary or cardiac problem which is unrecognised. Your symptoms, I feel, are sufficiently bothersome or disruptive to warrant a full work-up. You would benefit by seeing a neurologist, pulmonologist, or psychiatrist specialized in sleep disorders, and possibly subsequently undergoing a polysomnogram and MSLT.These are tests designed to accurately diagnose sleep disorders, and involve getting monitored with elaborate equipment while you sleep overnight in a sleep lab. Getting correctly diagnosed is important, because most sleep disorders can be effectively treated, and subsequent complications can be prevented.
In case you live near Cleveland, I strongly recommend that you consult with Dr. Dudley Dinner or with Dr. Nancy Foldvary at the Cleveland Clinic. They are both highly accomplished neurologists specialized in sleep disorder management and research. The Cleveland Clinic also has a state-of-the-art sleep lab.
This information is provided for general medical educational purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options of your specific medical condition.

[Neurology Forum]      [Neurology Forum Archives]