breathing question

[ash8705]

just a question can a healthy person just involuntarily stop breathing? other than at night during sleep apnea? im not experiencing any of the symptoms its just a question that has been on my mind lately can a healthy person involuntarily stop breathing?  

[Markyl]

Good day doctor, i want to ask if central sleep apnea reversible? I think i have it but the only reason i know how did i get is was because of my severe anxiety. I am now two months awake. My doctor yesterday said i have GERD but told me to see if my breathing wont change maybe i already sleep apnea and basing from what i experience i think it is central sleep apnea. Whenever i start feeling asleep and going to the 1st stage of sleep i suddenly stop breathing and it wakes me right after. I feel i am already gasping for air after that and suddenly i begin to feel nervousness and palpitation and feeling cold on my feet and shoulders and then i can no longer get myself back on sleep again. I feel very tired the following morning and my vision is now not that strong. Please help me, is central apnea curable? Will i be back to my normal breathing pattern without any devices? I want to recieve a good news from you for it will really relieve me for life but please dont hesitate to answer me it is not the kind of answer i want to recieve. Please doctor help me.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hi, as the body needs oxygen, and cessation of respiration will deprive the body of oxygen, if there are prolonged episodes of apneas, it will cause damage to the vital organs. So, a healthy person is unlikely to have these episodes. Involuntary cessation of respiration can occur due to brain damage when the respiratory center is affected. It can also occur due to certain conditions like guillain barre syndrome, where there is paralysis of the respiratory muscles. Regards.