What Does Sudden Difficulty In Breathing For Short Period Of Time Suggest?

I woke up about 30 minutes after falling asleep. I awoke very suddenly unable to breath. I was gasping very hard for air and was unable to get air in or out. I was panicking and gasping very hard for maybe 30 to 40 seconds before air started to pass just a little bit, it took several minutes before breathing sort of normal again. So scared I don t want to go back to sleep in fear of it happening again. I m coughing a little now like there is moisture in my lungs. What happened and why and what do I do if it happens again? Is it okay to go back to sleep?