Do you have central sleep apnea? Know the signs and what to do next.
Central sleep apnea is a serious but often overlooked condition. Learn what it is, how to recognize the symptoms, and whether the Remede® System could help.
What is central sleep apnea?
Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a type of sleep-related breathing disorder where your brain doesn’t send the proper signals to your muscles to control breathing while you sleep.
It’s different from obstructive sleep apnea, which is caused by physical blockage of the airway. In CSA, the issue starts in your brain’s respiratory control center.
“Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea doesn’t happen because something is blocking your airway,” says Denice Hodgson-Zingman, MD, cardiac electrophysiologist. “It happens when the brain doesn’t send the right signals to breathe. That makes it harder to spot—but just as important to treat.”
If left untreated, CSA can lead to serious health problems, including:
- Weight gain
- Insulin resistance and diabetes
- Abnormal heart rhythms that can lead to heart failure and stroke
- Irritability and other mood disorders
- Severe fatigue
- Poor memory or brain function
Sleep apnea FAQs from a UI Health Care expert
Hodgson-Zingman tackles some of the most common questions about sleep apnea.
The symptoms of CSA may be subtle, and many happen while you're asleep. Look out for:
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Gasping or choking at night
- Restlessness while sleeping
- Waking up tired or groggy
- Morning headaches
- Brain fog or trouble focusing
- Irritability
“Central sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed, but it’s linked to serious health risks like heart failure and stroke,” Hodgson-Zingman says. “If you’re waking up gasping or feeling exhausted during the day, don’t ignore those signs.”
The first step is a sleep study. This test tracks your breathing, brain activity, and oxygen levels overnight—either in a sleep lab or sometimes at home.
It helps your care team understand what’s happening during your sleep and whether it’s central sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, or both.
If you’ve been diagnosed with CSA, your care team may recommend:
- Treating consequent health issues like heart failure
- Oxygen therapy
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
- Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV)
- Nerve stimulation with the Remede® System
Could the Remede® System be right for you?
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, The Remede® System is an implantable device that helps restore natural breathing during sleep.
Facts about the Remede® System:
- Implanted with a simple outpatient procedure
- Works by stimulating your phrenic nerve
- No masks or machines required
- Automatically adjusts to your sleep breathing patterns
“If you’ve tried other treatments or have heart failure and still struggle with central sleep apnea, the Remede® System might be a good fit,” Hodgson-Zingman says. “It’s designed to restore your natural breathing rhythm without a mask or machine.”
“Most people don’t feel it working—but they notice the difference in how they feel when they wake up,” Hodgson-Zingman says.
Taking control of your sleep apnea
Getting treated for central sleep apnea can change how you feel each day—and protect your long-term health.
“Treating central sleep apnea can help you sleep better, feel more alert, and protect your heart and brain health,” Hodgson-Zingman says. “You don’t have to settle for poor sleep.”
Ready to take the first step? Learn more or request an appointment.