What Causes Shortness Of Breath During Sleep?

Posted on Thu, 6 Oct 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 6 Oct 2016 Answered on

Sat, 22 Oct 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : This happened to me like 3 or 4 times so far. I would wake up as if I had lost my breath and I would wake up catching it as if inhaling for first time since it stopped. It's XXXXXXX scary feeling. Please tell me what this is.

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Could be Laryngo pharyngeal reflux

Detailed Answer:
Welcome To HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney. I understand your concern.

Following are the possibilities in your case description:
1. Anxiety attack
2. Laryngeal Pharyngeal reflux (LPR).

If you have associated symptoms like cough , acidity then LPR is the probable cause.
I would recommend you a combination of Pantoprazole and Levosulpride once daily and see the response.

If you are anxious and when you get up , you are sweating then this could be anxiety. Try meditation and if doesn't work , anxiolytic like Etizolam would help you.

I hope it helps you.
If you have any further query, please ask me.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (38 minutes later)

Hi I also read online it is likely sleep apnea but thanks I will ask around.

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes.

Detailed Answer:
LPR and Sleep Apnea are interlinked and possibi of sleep apnea is definitely there.
First of all try what I have mentioned and if no relief go ahead for Sleep study that would reveal the picture.
I hope it helps you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng