Sleep and Breathing Disorders

Immature respiratory control with a paradoxical response to hypoxia

A memory aid for why premature infants stop breathing.

Rising carbon dioxide is the main stimulus, with falling oxygen contributing later

A memory aid for what terminates a breath hold.

Respiratory alkalosis causes paraesthesiae, tetany and cerebral vasoconstriction

A memory aid for the physiological consequences of acute hyperventilation.

STOP-BANG for screening, Epworth for sleepiness, polysomnography to confirm

A mnemonic for screening and assessing obstructive sleep apnoea.

Repeated pharyngeal collapse causes intermittent hypoxia and arousals

A memory aid for the mechanism and consequences of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Automatic breathing is brainstem driven; voluntary breathing bypasses it through corticospinal tracts

A memory aid for the distinction between automatic and voluntary breathing.

Cheyne-Stokes waxes and wanes; Kussmaul is deep and rapid; Biot's is irregular

A memory aid for the abnormal breathing patterns and their causes.

Ventilation falls, carbon dioxide rises slightly and upper airway tone is reduced

A memory aid for the respiratory changes during sleep.