Definition - What does Cheyne-Stokes Respiration mean?
Cheyne-Stokes respiration is characterized by irregular breathing patterns where an individual experiences repetitive cycles of deep breaths, slow breaths, and periodic apnea (breathing cessation). Medical research suggests that Cheyne-Stokes respiration is a physiological response secondary to an underlying cardiopulmonary and/or neurological condition such as coronary heart disease or stroke. However, Cheyne-Stokes respiration is also noted in terminal patients and individuals suffering from sleep apnea.
SureHire explains Cheyne-Stokes Respiration
The epidemiological implications connected with Cheyne-Stokes respiration can dictate the intervals of time that abnormal breathing occurs, lasting between thirty seconds and two minutes. Medical issues such as altitude sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, kidney failure, and hyponatremia (low blood sodium level) serve as telltale factors connected to Cheyne-Stokes respiration. Doctors hold polarizing opinions on whether Cheyne-Stokes respiration qualifies patients as potential candidates for detrimental conditions such as heart failure or stroke.
In the absence of substantial evidence, many research analysts maintain that Cheyne-Stokes respiration is a biochemical function of the body to regulate oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide expulsion to support life. In the workplace, certain industries contain environmental hazards that can compromise cardiopulmonary health including dust particles, chemical vapors and smoke fumes. Employers lacking proper health and safety control measures designed to filter airborne pollutants can impair otherwise normal breathing cycles over time.
A medical consultation with a doctor is recommended for individuals with disruptive sleep patterns to identify Cheyne-Stokes respiration and any concomitant health risk(s) involved. Polysomnography is a sleep testing procedure used to assess multiple interdependent functions of the body during sleep including breathing rate, heart rate, body movement, oxygen saturation levels, and brain wave activity. Because Cheyne-Stokes respiration is commonly linked to central sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices can help regulate breathing patterns.
