Question 1

what could be causing my shortness of breath when i'm trying to fall asleep?

Accepted Answer

Maybe asthma: Asthma can result in shortness of breath that occurs at night.  Other symptoms with asthma include wheezing and chest tightness.  Other causes of nighttime breathlessness include anxiety, panic attacks and acid reflux causing bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways).

Question 2

hi there doctors! recently i've been having a shortness in breath when trying to fall asleep. any reasons? i'm active a lot n am fine during the day!

Accepted Answer

SOB: Your shortness of breath at bedtime may be due to anxiety or depression check with a psychotherapist for help.

Question 3

when trying to fall asleep i start having shortness of breath what could it be?

Accepted Answer

Anxiety: is most probable reason. you are too young to have any serious ht dz but if you have any then check with your MD

Question 4

i've been noticing a few nights this past month(including tonight)when i barley start to fall asleep i instantly wake up with a racing heart and feeling like my whole body is shutting down like(shortness of breath)(doom feeling)but quicky goes away.

Accepted Answer

Fast heart rate: You may be having a heart rate abnormality (arrhythmia) such as supraventricular tachycardia. You must see your doctor or a cardiologist.

Question 5

i have a oximeter that shows my heart rate. it does normal rythem. but it has been dipping down when my pulse goes up. i have been so tired that i fall asleep for 2 days now. no chest pains, no shortness of breath?

Accepted Answer

: Oximeter shows your oxygenation. Some models also show heart rate, but that’s incidental.

If oxygenation has been “dipping down “ below 90 you should see your doctor.

Question 6

can i hold my breath at night in order to fall asleep quickly?

Accepted Answer

Would not recommend!: I would not recommend it.  I would recommend breathing deeply and slowly, in and out, like yoga relaxation breathing to relax.

Question 7

i fall asleep no problem but minutes later wake up feeling like i cannot breath gasping, what's wrong?

Accepted Answer

See doctor: You may have some sleep disordered breathing. Do you snore? Has anyone ever noticed you seem to stop breathing at night at times and then rapidly recover? Please see your doctor and see about getting a formal sleep study to rule out sleep apnea.

Question 8

i was diagnosed with pneumonia today. i'm trying to sleep, but when i start to fall asleep i wake up by lost of breath. i'm 31 what can i do?

Accepted Answer

Pneumonia: Your bronchi and bronchioles are narrowed by swelling.  Medication from your doc should have helped.  Go to sleep in an elevated position using multiple pillows.  Consider an humidifier.

Question 9

had sleep study done came back good. however when i fall asleep at times i feel like i can't breath and gasp for air.

Accepted Answer

See an ENT: An otolaryngologist will actually look down your throat and see what is wrong.

Question 10

when i start to fall asleep i wake back up feeling like i've been holding my breath and can't breathe. what could be wrong?

Accepted Answer

Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea, obstructive and central, cause breathing to temporarily cease.  Other manifestations and associated conditions include morning headache, fatigue, need for naps, hypertension, falling asleep at inappropriate times, obesity.   See a sleep specialist for an evaluation.

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Doctor answers about:

Causing shortness breath trying fall asleep

A member asked:

What could be causing my shortness of breath when i'm trying to fall asleep?

A member asked:

Hi there doctors! recently i've been having a shortness in breath when trying to fall asleep. any reasons? i'm active a lot n am fine during the day!

A member asked:

When trying to fall asleep i start having shortness of breath what could it be?

A member asked:

I've been noticing a few nights this past month(including tonight)when i barley start to fall asleep i instantly wake up with a racing heart and feeling like my whole body is shutting down like(shortness of breath)(doom feeling)but quicky goes away.

A member asked:

I have a oximeter that shows my heart rate. it does normal rythem. but it has been dipping down when my pulse goes up. i have been so tired that i fall asleep for 2 days now. no chest pains, no shortness of breath?

A member asked:

Can i hold my breath at night in order to fall asleep quickly?

A member asked:

I fall asleep no problem but minutes later wake up feeling like i cannot breath gasping, what's wrong?

A member asked:

I was diagnosed with pneumonia today. i'm trying to sleep, but when i start to fall asleep i wake up by lost of breath. i'm 31 what can i do?

A member asked:

Had sleep study done came back good. however when i fall asleep at times i feel like i can't breath and gasp for air.

A member asked:

When i start to fall asleep i wake back up feeling like i've been holding my breath and can't breathe. what could be wrong?

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