Signs You Might Not Be Breathing Correctly While Asleep
When sleeping, you’re probably not focusing on your breathing all too much. Some extraordinary things that happen during sleep. There are several signs that you aren’t breathing normally while asleep that you should watch out for. If left unchecked, it could cause some health complications down the road.
Sleep can improve your immunity levels as well as helping regulate appetite. Adequate sleep gives more control over your health and diet efforts. Yet, when asleep, you might have a dream or two, but you’re more likely not to remember anything. Below are signs that may indicate difficulty in breathing while asleep.
- Waking Up experiencing Shortness of Breath
According to sleep specialist Dr. Joseph Krainin, if you’re waking up in the morning (or during the night) experiencing gasping, choking, coughing, or shortness of breath or your bed partner reports these events to you, it could be a sign you are experiencing breathing difficulties during sleep.
- Morning headaches
Waking up with pounding headaches in the morning could be related to abnormal breathing patterns. In addition, if you’re not a chronic migraine patient, it’s even more likely. Sometimes headaches may occur later in the day. Whether during the day or in the morning, sleep could be the trigger.
- Sweatiness
It’s preferable to sleep under optimum temperatures of around 65-72 degrees Fahrenheit based on preference. If you’re still waking up sweaty and hot, even at the cooler temperature, it could mean you’re breathing difficulties during sleep.
- Requiring Extra Pillows
If you sleep with many pillows folded or straight ones, it could mean you’re breathing is off when asleep. Needing to use more than one pillow or fold your pillow in half to position your head up, as well as needing to lift the head of your bed or sleep in a recliner, is a method to identify an off pattern.
- Stopping and Pausing Breath
If your partner points out your breathing halting or pausing throughout the night, it could be because of a breathing problem when sleeping. It can be subtle, and you won’t quickly notice, but if you’re sleeping with a person who can recognize it, you should consult a doctor to discuss the next steps. What’s more, these pauses in breathing might be followed by gasps of air.
- Chronic Fatigue Despite Rest
If you are feeling fatigued or sleepy despite getting an adequate duration of sleep, this can be a clear sign of sleep apnea or abnormal breathing patterns during sleeping. If you are tired every day, even with sufficient hours of sleep, it could be something to discuss with your doctor.