I notice I cannot get a full 8 hours of sleep unless I deprive
myself of sleep until 2:30 in the morning. When I try to sleep at
about 10:30-11:00 I notice that I wake up around 2:30 and I
can't go back to bed. Sometimes my heart is racing, and my
family says it an anxiety attack. When this happens I do my
best to try and relax myself by playing some video games until
I get tired again. I just think its weird. I have asthma by the way.
Can it be my breathing patterns during my sleep that wakes
me up?
2007-03-13 15:55:38 · 9 answers · asked by tsmalls5 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Sounds like you need to go for a Sleep Lab. The racing heart may, in fact, be your body's attempt to get oxygen because you stop breathing in your sleep. This is called Sleep Apnea. If this goes on long enough, you can experience heart attack-like symptoms that will be very painful, but when tested, will not register on the equipment as typical. This can be expensive and very frustrating. The stress will eventually kill you.
Sleep Apnea can be caused by poorly developed throat muscles which collapse when you're lying on your back. Asthma and other pulmonary conditons can also be a factor.
In younger people, the cause of Sleep Apnea is often neurological. There's a slight "mis-wiring" of the brain circuits.
There are good answers to this problem. The first step is to get a referral from your family physician to a sleep lab for an overnight sleep study.
My sleep study showed that I stopped breathing about every two minutes!
If the expense would stop you from undergoing a sleep study, you could try borrowing a book from the library called "No More Sleepless Nights" and reading that first. If the suggestions don't work, then you likely have a physical problem that is going to require a physical solution.
2007-03-13 16:11:40 · answer #1 · answered by Judith S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might be your breathing patterns that wake you up, but it could be anxiety as well. I would talk to your family doctor about it, & maybe they can refer you to someone who can help you better, or prescribe you a low dose of something to help you sleep at night.
I have the same problem & it is related to an anxiety disorder. I'm in the process of seeing different doctors about the problem. My next appt. is in a week, but if you want I can let you know what is going on & what my doc says.
There is also a condition called sleep apnea that is related to your breathing paterns while you are sleeping. You might look into this as well.
Good luck!
2007-03-13 16:02:35 · answer #2 · answered by mrauscher74 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your breathing patterns may be the cause. Your stress levels may also be the thing that is keeping you awake. I don't think that playing video games is a good idea as it requires brain activity. You need to wind down just before going to bed.
Some ideas include:
- drink warm milk
- no exercise at least 2 hours before bedtime
- have warm baths before sleeping
- use aromatherapy essential oils that promote sleep
More ideas can be found in this reference section on sleep disorder contributed by various authors
http://www.healthandwellnesscentral.com/Category/Sleep-Disorder/208
2007-03-13 16:02:01 · answer #3 · answered by mindalchemy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WOW I just watched a few days ago on "The View" about something EXACTLY like this! I think its called sleep apnea, Im not sure though. Listen go to the hospital and have them do a "sleep watch" for you. They put you in this room for 12 hours I think or less and while you sleep... they check to see how many times you wake up, not completely but even from deep breaths you take and moving around and many other things. Rosie O Donnell had the same problem your having but she also snored really loud and STOPPED BREATHING one time and thats what she decided to get checked out. When she went to the hospital and did the "sleep watch" thing... they found out she woke up from her sleep 173 times!!! Isnt that crazy?? You dont think thats possible right? Well they have video tape proof that showed it. It was so weird how many times a person can wake up, I didnt even know that was possible to wake up that many times but she woke up every few minutes!
Since you have asthma I think its very important to do this procedure for you cause you never know what will happen especially knowing you can stop breathing at any moment in your sleep. The procedure is completely painless and will help you out soo much.
Goodluck and I hope I helped.
2007-03-13 16:07:32 · answer #4 · answered by *HILWA* 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My friend encountered more or less the same problem as you do. After doing some test at the hospital, the doctor suggested her to use some sort of breathing machine when sleeping.
Hope this may help and wish you have a good sleep!
2007-03-13 16:02:50 · answer #5 · answered by niverpool 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Speak to a doctor. Sometimes sleeping pills can help your body establish a normal sleep cycle.
2007-03-13 15:59:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to see a sleep specialist or just discuss your problems with a doctor. Take some advil pm it helps a lot.
2007-03-13 15:59:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. Don't eat a lot before bedtime
2. Get your asthma under control
3. Relax before bedtime - low lights and warm milk.
4. Make sure you are not dehydrated.
5. Make sure your room is not too warm.
2007-03-13 16:05:56 · answer #8 · answered by DuckyWucky 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get your family Dr to send you to a
sleep clinic you might have sleep apnea
and this is a big sleep disturber
2007-03-13 15:59:30 · answer #9 · answered by caffsans 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋