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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Breath Holding Spells During Sleep?

My boyfriend jus recently started holding his breath while sleeping.He lets little bits of air out sometimes while he is holding his breath in little bits.Also alot of moaning more than usual and moving around??I thught maybe he was taking oxy contins for a while.Wouls this cause the strange sleeoing?Do you have any answers for me??Thank-you
Thu, 6 Jul 2017
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Neurologist 's  Response
Hello:

The symptoms your boyfriend is having might be caused by sleep apnea. It happens when the air stop moving through the airway or moves slowly. It happens at intervals during the whole night in a kind of cycle.

The cause can be obstruction of the airway (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) as in hypertrophic tonsils, hypertrophic nasal turbinates, obesity and any other condition narrowing the airway. The other cause is an abnormal breathing rhythm or control with brain origin (Central Sleep Apnea).

Due to breathing cessation during sleep, the patient can wake up (even for less than a second), interrupting sleep, sometimes hundred times per night. This can cause restless sleep, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, memory impairment and headache,

By now I suggest stop using oxycodone if possible (because it can cause disordered breathing) and consulting with a sleep neurologist and do a polysomnography to confirm the diagnosis and determine the kind of sleep apnea. For the treatment he may need a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machine. It helps to keep the airway open during sleep and provides a continuous airflow.

I hope this helps. If you have any doubt before your appointment, please let me know.
I find this answer helpful
Neurologist Dr. Arturo Benítez-Serrato's  Response
Hello:

The symptoms your boyfriend is having might be caused by sleep apnea. It happens when the air stop moving through the airway or moves slowly. It happens at intervals during the whole night in a kind of cycle.

The cause can be obstruction of the airway (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) as in hypertrophic tonsils, hypertrophic nasal turbinates, obesity and any other condition narrowing the airway. The other cause is an abnormal breathing rhythm or control with brain origin (Central Sleep Apnea).

Due to breathing cessation during sleep, the patient can wake up (even for less than a second), interrupting sleep, sometimes hundred times per night. This can cause restless sleep, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, memory impairment and headache,

By now I suggest stop using oxycodone if possible (because it can cause disordered breathing) and consulting with a sleep neurologist and do a polysomnography to confirm the diagnosis and determine the kind of sleep apnea. For the treatment he may need a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machine. It helps to keep the airway open during sleep and provides a continuous airflow.

I hope this helps. If you have any doubt before your appointment, please let me know.
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What Causes Breath Holding Spells During Sleep?

Hello: The symptoms your boyfriend is having might be caused by sleep apnea. It happens when the air stop moving through the airway or moves slowly. It happens at intervals during the whole night in a kind of cycle. The cause can be obstruction of the airway (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) as in hypertrophic tonsils, hypertrophic nasal turbinates, obesity and any other condition narrowing the airway. The other cause is an abnormal breathing rhythm or control with brain origin (Central Sleep Apnea). Due to breathing cessation during sleep, the patient can wake up (even for less than a second), interrupting sleep, sometimes hundred times per night. This can cause restless sleep, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, memory impairment and headache, By now I suggest stop using oxycodone if possible (because it can cause disordered breathing) and consulting with a sleep neurologist and do a polysomnography to confirm the diagnosis and determine the kind of sleep apnea. For the treatment he may need a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machine. It helps to keep the airway open during sleep and provides a continuous airflow. I hope this helps. If you have any doubt before your appointment, please let me know.