How does Central Sleep Apnea affect sleep?

Central Sleep Apnea is characterized by a disruption of breathing during sleep due to a failure of the brain to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. This results in repeated episodes where breathing stops, which can significantly disrupt sleep patterns. The brain's inability to properly regulate the respiratory cycle during sleep leads to intermittent wakefulness or shallow sleep. This interruption occurs because the body is not receiving the necessary cues to breathe regularly, often resulting in lower oxygen levels and increased carbon dioxide levels, which can cause the individual to awaken briefly or modify their sleep stages.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the nature of Central Sleep Apnea. While it may be common to think of sleep disturbances as leading to waking or spasms, the core issue in Central Sleep Apnea is specifically related to the brain's signaling concerning respiration, which directly impacts the quality and continuity of sleep. Hence, the focus on brain signaling issues effectively captures the essence of how Central Sleep Apnea affects sleep patterns.