Breathing problem at night

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night gasping for air, and
a sneaking suspicion that you have...stopped breathing in your sleep?
Not only can identifying and diagnosing nighttime breathing and
respiratory problems be scary, it can be one of the most frustrating
things you'll ever attempt--because many of your symptoms are
occurring while you're asleep! Nighttime breathing problems are very
common, and have many potential causes: a lingering cold or cough,
asthma, allergies, and sleep apnea are some of the most common
diagnoses. There are many steps you can take toward solving your
frightening problem; the first step is to learn more about the most
common nighttime breathing and respiratory problems and get a proper
medical diagnosis.
According to MedHelp, sleep apnea is the most common nighttime
breathing and respiratory problem by far. "Apnea" is a Greek word
meaning "want of breath." If you have any of the three different types
of sleep apnea, you stop breathing while you're sleeping, in some
cases hundreds of times a night. The most common sufferers of this
particular nighttime breathing and respiratory problem are males who
are overweight and snore, but the disorder has been diagnosed in all
ages and sexes. This self-assessment quiz can help you determine if
you have some of the many signs of sleep apnea.If you take one of the
many self-assessment tests available on the internet and realize that
you are at risk for sleep apnea, it is highly advisable that you
consult with your doctor, and seek a sleep center in your area for a
sleep study so you can be properly diagnosed. Sleep apnea is not a
mere annoyance that leaves you groggy in the morning, it can be very
dangerous if untreated! A recent John Hopkins Health Alert announced
that "researchers found that men with untreated severe sleep apnea
were almost three times as likely as healthy participants to suffer
from a fatal heart attack or stroke, and more than three times as
likely to have a non-fatal heart attack or stroke or to require heart
surgery." If you are found to have obstructive sleep apnea (the most
common kind), you will likely be prescribed a CPAP mask to wear while
you sleep at night. Sleep Services of America, a leading provider of
CPAP treatment, offers an excellent Q&A here on what CPAP treatment is
and what it involves. Other treatment options to remedy this
nighttimme breathing and respiratory problem are surgery, or a special
mouthpiece in the case of mild apnea.

Nocturnal asthma is another common nighttime breathing and respiratory
problem. According to "What is Nocturnal Asthma?" an article by
Kathleen MacNaughton, R.N., about 75% of asthma sufferers are affected
by their symptoms at night at least once a week. There are many
different factors involved in ocurrences of nocturnal asthma.
Everything from different levels of hormones in the body at night, to
allergens that are common in bedrooms and bed linens, to the wearing
off of effectiveness of asthma medication. Asthmatics suffering from
asthma-related nighttime breathing and respiratory problems have
several treatment options, including trying different medications for
nighttime, and ridding bedrooms of asthma triggers.

Nasal obstruction, like rhinitis or sinusitis, is a third major cause
of nighttime breathing and respiratory problems, and is the one most
commonly treated with medication. Nasal obstruction can be a symptom
of allergies, like hay fever, or even a symptom of the common cold, or
a sinus infection. According to Respiratory Reviews, antihistamines,
decongestants, and/or intranasal corticosteroids are all common
treatment options for allergic rhinitis, and the timing of the
treatment can be crucial for relieving nighttime breathing problems.
As for nasal obstruction related to the common cold or flu, over the
counter nighttime remedies for the duration of the illness will help
alleviate the problem and help the sufferer sleep, as will saline and
nasal washes, and sleeping with a vaporizer in the bedroom.

Nighttime breathing and respiratory problems are common, but don't
delay if you find yourself suffering--an accurate diagnosis is crucial
for proper treatment.

National Institutes of Health National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute, "Breathing Disorders During Sleep", MedHelp