Feel Like I Stop Breathing When Falling Asleep: Causes and Solutions

If you’ve ever felt like you stop breathing when falling asleep, it can be a scary experience. Many people think this way without fully understanding why. It could be a sign of sleep apnea, a situation that causes interruptions in breathing during sleep. Thankfully, there are effective treatments available. Let’s explore the causes behind this feeling and the solutions to help you get better sleep.

What Causes the Feeling of Stopping Breathing While Sleeping?

The sensation of choking or feeling like you stop breathing when falling asleep can be linked to sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles begins to relax too much during sleep, obstructing the airway and resulting in brief pauses in breathing. These interruptions can occur often throughout the night, reducing the quality of your sleep.

Sleep apnea is commonly categorized into two types:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common type, The throat muscles relax, obstructing the airway.
• Central Sleep Apnea: A less common kind in which the brain fails to provide signals to the muscles responsible for breathing.

If you’re experiencing these sensations, it’s essential to pay attention, as untreated sleep apnea can pave the way to serious health issues, like heart disease and high blood pressure.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

If you feel like you stop breathing when falling asleep, here are some common symptoms of sleep apnea to watch for:

• Loud snoring
• Frequent waking up gasping for air
• Excessive daytime fatigue
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty concentrating during the day

If these symptoms sound familiar, consider seeking help.

How to Address Sleep Apnea: Solutions and Treatments

Fortunately, sleep apnea treatment in Keller can assist in relieving symptoms and lower the health risks linked with the illness. Here are some common treatments:

• CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure): A machine that uses a mask to deliver constant air pressure to keep your airway open while you sleep.
• Oral Appliances: A dentist can provide a custom-made device to reposition your jaw and keep your airway open during sleep.
• Lifestyle Changes: Losing weight, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol before bed can all help reduce the severity of sleep apnea.
• Surgical Options: In certain very serious cases, surgery may be recommended to remove tissue blocking the airway.

A dentist in Keller, Texas, can assess your symptoms and recommend the best solution.

Getting Professional Help: Ridgepoint Dental Keller

If you suspect that sleep apnea may affect your sleep, contacting a professional can make all the difference. Ridgepoint Dental Keller offers consultations to help diagnose and treat sleep apnea, providing tailored solutions to improve sleep quality.

Conclusion

Feeling like you stop breathing when falling asleep can be unsettling, but you don’t have to deal with it alone. You can enjoy restful, uninterrupted sleep with proper diagnosis and treatment. Whether through lifestyle changes or specialized treatments, There are treatments available to assist in controlling sleep apnea and enhance your quality of life.