Question 1

i have chronic anxiety and when i just about to drift to asleep i wake gasping for air and sometimes during the day is that anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Shortness of breath can be caused by anxiety, but there are many other causes.    Waking up gasping for air could be a sign of sleep apnea, which can lead to anxiety.  See your doctor.

Question 2

can't seem to sleep through the night. i wake to roll over then fall back asleep, esp. @ 5 & 7am. i don't wake gasping for air so no apnea, right? :-/

Accepted Answer

WRONG: Waking up gasping for air or the lack thereof is not a specific symptom and neither does it rule out sleep apnea.

Question 3

why do i wake up gasping for air?

Accepted Answer

Rule out sleep apnea: An important sleep disorder that involves waking up, gasping for air, and often also involves snoring is called obstructive sleep apnea. There is a temporary closing off of the airway during sleep that causes periods of no breathing and therefore involuntary waking. There are other conditions that can involve gasping, including waking from nightmares, night terrors, anxiety attacks, and others.

Question 4

what are the symptoms of hynogogcic jerks can u wake up gasping for air for instance?

Accepted Answer

Anxiety: Many folks who are highly anxious have a fear on not getting enough air.  When we are between sleeping and waking we can feel quite vulnerable and pull out of the relaxed state with a start.  Get help from your doc or a clinical psychologist, more likely the latter will be the one to help you through this.  Magnesium level can be tested for and supplemented if needed.  Low mag can cause jerks.

Question 5

why when i  go to sleep i feel like i go into a deep   sleep and wake up gasping for air feels like im gonna die?

Accepted Answer

Sleep apnea or: Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common cause of this symptom, but there are other causes (including ondine's curse).  A sleep study will show precisely what the cause is.

Question 6

can't not go to sleep for more than an hour and wake up gasping for air. this just started today should i go to the er?

Accepted Answer

ER: it certainly isn't normal and is worth getting checked out asap

Question 7

when i am about to fall asleep i will suddenly wake up gasping for air and will feel like i'm suffocating for some seconds.

Accepted Answer

Get a check-up: There are two terms doctors use often for shortness of breath in bed: "orthopnea" which is not being able to lie flat without feeling short of breath and "PND" which is similar to what you describe, that is, waking up short of breath after being asleep.  You may need an evaluation for a possible sleep disorder and also heart and lung studies.  If you also have leg swelling, see your doctor soon!

Question 8

i notice when i take a xanax (alprazolam) i stop breathing in my sleep and wake up gasping for air several times a night . what could this be ?

Accepted Answer

Apnea or panic: Possibly withdrawal panic attacks;  but more likely and  worrisome concern  is  central  sleep apnea -  brain  not  registering  low  oxygen - forgets to  breathe- temporary suffocation. starving  your  brain of oxygen  Very dangerous-impairs  thinking &amp; judgement next day., causes  depression &amp; daytime sleepiness, eg fall asleep driving.  This  needs  IMMEDIATE attention!  Taper Xanax (alprazolam) w/ your MD.

Question 9

should i be concerned if my 13yr old wakes up gasping for air struggles to breathe told it could be allergy asthma or acid reflux?

Accepted Answer

Yes: I would be very concerned if my child is gasping for air and struggling to breath in the middle of the night. A variety of lung or heart diseases can cause difficulty breathing. You should bring your child to see a local physician urgently. If it persists, you might want to bring him or her to the nearest er.

Question 10

i wake up gasping for air, feel short of breath often, have persistent light chest congestion, and am occasionally disoriented. i'm 27, 145 lbs, rarely exercise. it's been a year, worse lately. ideas?

Accepted Answer

Sob: need a pulmonary evaluation for possible sleep apnea or any other type of lung pathology

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Doctor answers about:

Wake gasping air

A member asked:

I have chronic anxiety and when i just about to drift to asleep i wake gasping for air and sometimes during the day is that anxiety?

A member asked:

Can't seem to sleep through the night. i wake to roll over then fall back asleep, esp. @ 5 & 7am. i don't wake gasping for air so no apnea, right? :-/

A member asked:

Why do i wake up gasping for air?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of hynogogcic jerks can u wake up gasping for air for instance?

A member asked:

Why when i go to sleep i feel like i go into a deep sleep and wake up gasping for air feels like im gonna die?

A member asked:

Can't not go to sleep for more than an hour and wake up gasping for air. this just started today should i go to the er?

A member asked:

When i am about to fall asleep i will suddenly wake up gasping for air and will feel like i'm suffocating for some seconds.

A member asked:

I notice when i take a xanax (alprazolam) i stop breathing in my sleep and wake up gasping for air several times a night . what could this be ?

A member asked:

Should i be concerned if my 13yr old wakes up gasping for air struggles to breathe told it could be allergy asthma or acid reflux?

A member asked:

I wake up gasping for air, feel short of breath often, have persistent light chest congestion, and am occasionally disoriented. i'm 27, 145 lbs, rarely exercise. it's been a year, worse lately. ideas?

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