ABSTRACT

There are several disorders that affect the central control of breathing during sleep and cause central apneas. Although much of the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of the different syndromes of central sleep apnea are known, their entire features persist unidentified; likewise, it is unknown the importance of the central nervous system infections in the disruption of the normal mechanisms of central control of breathing during sleep. We present the case of a woman with Neuro-Lyme disease and chronic use of opioids that caused changes in respiratory homeostasis during sleep and that resolved with the use of a continuous positive airway pressure device.

KEYWORDS

Lyme disease, obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, opioids.

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