Information on Sleep Disorders

(Adapted from the International Classification of Sleep Disorders,  American Academy of Sleep Medicine  2006.)

SLEEP RELATED BREATHING DISTURBANCES

Central Sleep Apnea Syndrome – This type of apnea occurs when the lungs and breathing muscles do not receive adequate messages from the breathing control center in the brain. This type of apnea can also cause awakenings decreases in oxygen saturation levels and sleepiness during the day.

Cheyne Stokes Breathing Pattern – This breathing pattern is characterized by apneas, hypopneas, or both apneas hypopneas, alternating with prolonged deeper breaths which wax and wane in a crescendo-decrescendo pattern.

High-Altitude Periodic Breathing – This disorder occurs with individuals who travel to a high altitude but are not adapted to that altitude. Central apneas are alternating with deep breaths and this pattern can cause frequent awakenings and poor quality sleep.

Central Sleep Apnea Due to Medical Condition (not Cheyne Stokes) – Central sleep apneas are not common and when seen, they are usually caused by neurologic, cardiac (heart), trauma, or renal (kidney) problems.

Central Sleep Apnea Due to Drug or Substance – The most common drugs causing central sleep apnea are long acting opioids such as methadone, extended release morphine and hydrocodone.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Adult – Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness and often awakenings during sleep. This condition is caused by a blockage of airflow in the back of the throat causing apneas and hypopnea and resulting in decreases in oxygen levels while asleep. Significant cardiovascular problems such as hypertension and strokes can result if this disorder is not treated.

Sleep Related Non-Obstructive Alveolar Hypoventilation, Idiopathic – Breathing is more shallow while sleeping than while awake. This disorder includes an excessive decrease in the amount of air exchanged with each breath, resulting in a decrease in oxygen levels and disturbances to sleep quality.

Sleep Related Hypoventilation/Hypoxemia Due to Pulmonary Parenchymal or Vascular Pathology – Significant decreases in oxygen levels during sleep because of a lung problem involving the lung tissue or blood vessels, not because of sleep apnea or Cheyne-Stokes breathing.

Sleep Related Hypoventilation/Hypoxemia Due to Lower Airways Obstruction – Shallow breathing or decreases in oxygen levels are caused by obstructive lung disease such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis or COPD.

Sleep Related Hypoventilation/hypoxemia due to Neuromuscular and Chest Wall Disorders – Shallow breathing or decreases in oxygen levels are caused by the inability of the ventilatory pump to exchange air adequately. This generally is because of musculoskeletal disorders of the chest or an inability of the nerves to adequately stimulate the breathing muscles.

Other Sleep Related Breathing Disorders – This diagnosis is used for breathing disturbances during sleep which cannot be easily classified into another category.