It also commonly occurs as a person approaches the end of life.
Diagnosing Cheyne-Stokes respiration can be difficult because it often occurs while you are asleep.
For some people, apnea is replaced with periods of extremely shallow breathing, calledhypopnea.
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The episodes tend to be worse when a person sleeps on their back.
Cheyne-Stokes respirations can occur while a person is awake and is generally a sign that their health is deteriorating.
This irregular breathing pattern is common in the last days and hours of life when a person is dying.
This compensatory reflex, directed by the brain, also helps decreaseblood acid levelscaused by oxygen deprivation.
Circulation problems don’t “cause” Cheyne-Stokes respirations but can contribute by further reducing blood oxygen levels.
If circulatory problems are chronic and severe, Cheyne-Stokes respirations compensate for the ongoing lack of blood oxygen.
Cheyne-Stokes respiration commonly occurs alongsidecentral sleep apnea.
Cheyne-Stokes respirations are a relatively uncommon symptom outside of end-of-life situations.
Cheyne-Stokes Breathing and Dying
Cheyne-Stokes breathing is commonly seen when people are in thedying process.
It can occur in the days or hours before a person dies.
Breathing patterns before death may also become louder as the person is no longer able to swallow.
This leads to gurgling sounds commonly referred to as the “death rattle.
Cheyne-Stokes breathing may be agonizing to watch, but it isnot uncomfortable for the dying person.
How Long Does It Last Before Death?
The same applies to the “death rattle,” which generally suggests death within 24 to 48 hours.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing Cheyne-Stokes respirations is relatively straightforward as it involves a characteristic pattern of breathing.
Cheyne-Stokes breathing in people with heart failure is a poor prognostic sign.
It is associated with reducedsurvival times, particularly in those who experience it while sitting or standing.
Treatment of Cheyne-Stokes Breathing
The treatment of Cheyne-Stokes respirations is based on the underlying cause.
In others, the condition may be ongoing and will need to be managed.
Cheyne-Stokes respirations most often occur at night and are common in people with advanced heart failure.
Other conditions affecting the lungs, brain, or circulatory system can also cause Cheyne-Stokes respiration.
