Cheyne Stokes breathing is not a disease itself but is a breathing pattern that can be associated with certain conditions. Causes include heart failure and stroke. Treatment includes addressing the underlying cause and can include CPAP or respiratory stimulants.

Cheyne Stokes breathing is characterized by episodes of apnea and hyperventilation. It’s associated with stroke and heart failure.

Treatment involves improving the management of the underlying condition causing Cheyne Stokes breathing.

Cheyne Stokes breathing is a type of abnormal breathing. It’s characterized by a gradual increase in breathing, and then a decrease. This pattern is followed by a period of apnea where breathing temporarily stops. The cycle then repeats itself.

Abnormal breathing like Cheyne Stokes is serious and may be frightening.

Cheyne Strokes breathing can happen while you’re awake, but is more common during sleep. It may happen more during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep than rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

When Cheyne Stokes occurs during sleep, it’s considered a form of central sleep apnea with an extended period of fast breathing (hyperventilation).

Central sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing briefly and increases the levels of carbon dioxide in your body.

Cheyne Stokes is usually related to heart failure or stroke.

It may also be caused by:

  • brain tumors
  • traumatic brain injuries
  • high altitude sickness
  • encephalitis
  • increased intracranial pressure
  • chronic pulmonary edema

People who are dying often experience Cheyne Stokes breathing. This is a natural effect of the body’s attempt to compensate for changing carbon dioxide levels.

While it may be distressing to those who witness it, there’s no evidence Cheyne Stokes is stressful for the person experiencing it.

Other types of abnormal respiration include:

Hyperventilation

When someone breathes deeply and too fast, it’s called hyperventilation. It leads to elevated levels of oxygen and low levels of carbon dioxide in the blood.

The condition is often caused by anxiety, stress, or a panic attack. It may also be caused by excessive bleeding, heart disease, or a lung disease such as asthma.

Left unchecked, hyperventilation may cause:

  • dizziness
  • lightheadedness
  • fainting
  • weakness
  • confusion
  • numbness in your arms or mouth
  • muscle spasms
  • chest pain
  • fast heart rate

Hypoventilation

When someone breathes too slowly or too shallowly, it’s called hypoventilation. It leads to low oxygen levels and high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Hypoventilation may be caused by lung problems that obstruct the lower airways, such as emphysema, cystic fibrosis, or bronchitis.

Symptoms of hypoventilation may include:

  • heart problems
  • being sleepy during the day
  • stomach problems
  • headaches
  • fainting

Obstructive sleep apnea

This condition causes you to stop breathing for 10 seconds or more while you sleep. People with obstructive sleep apnea stop breathing at least five times per hour. In severe cases, people may stop breathing every minute.

Obstructive sleep apnea can happen to anyone, but it’s most common in people who are obese. Symptoms may include:

  • daytime sleepiness
  • waking up short of breath
  • morning headaches
  • mood changes
  • difficulty concentrating

Sleep apnea is treated with CPAP therapy and lifestyle changes such as weight loss. Left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea may lead to serious health problems.

Kussmaul breathing vs. Cheyne Stokes

Both Kussmaul breathing and Cheyne Stokes breathing are characterized by fast breathing and too much carbon dioxide in the body, but that’s where their similarities end.

Kussmaul breathing doesn’t alternate between fast and slow breathing or cause breathing to stop like Cheyne Stokes does. Instead, it’s characterized by a deep, rapid breathing pace throughout its duration.

Kussmaul breathing is often caused by late-stage diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a metabolic condition caused by a lack of insulin and too much glucagon in the body. Kussmaul breathing may also be present in people with kidney failure.

Diagnosis can be tricky since symptoms typically happen while you are asleep.

However, if you or someone close to you thinks you have symptoms, speak with your doctor. They can perform a physical exam or a polysomnography. A polysomnography is a sleep study that measures certain sleep factors, including:

  • heart rate
  • breathing rate
  • brain waves
  • blood oxygen levels
  • eye movements

A doctor can also eliminate other causes of your symptoms.

Treatment of Cheyne Stokes breathing involves treating the underlying cause of the condition. This can include heart failure or stroke.

CPAP can help if the cause of your Cheyne Stokes breathing is sleep apnea or heart failure.

Oxygen therapy can also help improve your breathing.

Cheyne Stokes is serious. Since abnormal breathing often happens during sleep, it may be difficult to diagnose.

A sleep study known as polysomnography is needed to diagnose sleep-related Cheyne Stokes and other forms of sleep apnea.

Consult your doctor if you have symptoms of Cheyne Stokes, sleep apnea, or another type of abnormal breathing.