Sleep Disorder

Almitrine is a respiratory stimulant that enhances peripheral chemoreceptor sensitivity. Although it can potentially improve nighttime oxygenation, this effect is generally mild and inconsistent. Acetazolamide administration induces metabolic acidosis from bicarbonate diuresis; this, in turn, can stimulate respiration. Although it is beneficial for the treatment of high altitude–related periodic breathing, its usefulness for patients with [...]

Alcohol, when ingested while awake, can lead to reduction of both hypoxic and hypercapnic ventilatory responses. Irregular breathing with transient apneas can develop. When ingested close to bedtime, it depresses the upper airway muscle tone and may precipitate or aggravate a pre-existing obstructive sleep apnea; the latter is generally most evident during the first 1 [...]

Regulation of respiration differs significantly between sleep and wakefulness. With sleep onset, there occur important changes in the various processes that regulate respiratory control. Behavioral influences on respiration terminate with cessation of input from the waking state. Positional changes typically associated with sleep also result in significant alterations in respiratory mechanics. Finally, sleep is a [...]