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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Going Through Multiple Wake Ups At Night, Feeling Shortness Of Breath.

I have been waking up shortly after I fall asleep each night - feeling like I have stopped breathing . This happens several times throughout the night but mainly I go through multiple wake-ups about 30 min to an hour after I fall asleep. I don t know if I really have stopped breathing or if my mind is just making me believe that. My husband is a sound sleeper (always in bed before me) so he has never witnessed me stopping breathing in my sleep. I don t think I am a snorer (no one has ever told me I am) and I am not overweight (from what I read a common factor to sleep apnea ). I have had this symptom on and off for years. It typically is in conjunction with stress and anxiety although right now, I m experiencing these symptoms and don t feel particularly stressed or anxious. I am curious if if this is something I should be concerned about and if so, who do I go to see?
Wed, 30 Oct 2013
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.

Your breathing problem in night, can occur due to following cause:
-Stress and anxiety: As it can present itself as panic symptoms and choking sensation. You already have history of anxiety.
-Sleep Apnea syndrome: Although you are not overweight and nobody has noticed snoring in your case.

Sleep apnea can be rule out by sleep studies by neurologist. After that you can meet nearby psychiatrist for management of anxiety.

Same time follow steps of sleep hygiene, which will help you in good sleep:
-Fix time to sleep and wake up. Do not take any nap.
-Do not use caffeine (tea, coffee and cold drink) till 4 hour before sleep
-Use less than 2 cup tea/coffee use per day
-Use bed only for sleep
-Do not watch television/use net till 1 hour before sleep.
-Prevent bright light exposure before sleeping.

Wish you good health and all the best.

In future if you wish to ask query directly from me, you can use the following link: http://bit.ly/Dr-Ashish-Mittal
www.99doctor.com
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Going Through Multiple Wake Ups At Night, Feeling Shortness Of Breath.

Hello, Welcome to Healthcare Magic. Your breathing problem in night, can occur due to following cause: -Stress and anxiety: As it can present itself as panic symptoms and choking sensation. You already have history of anxiety. -Sleep Apnea syndrome: Although you are not overweight and nobody has noticed snoring in your case. Sleep apnea can be rule out by sleep studies by neurologist. After that you can meet nearby psychiatrist for management of anxiety. Same time follow steps of sleep hygiene, which will help you in good sleep: -Fix time to sleep and wake up. Do not take any nap. -Do not use caffeine (tea, coffee and cold drink) till 4 hour before sleep -Use less than 2 cup tea/coffee use per day -Use bed only for sleep -Do not watch television/use net till 1 hour before sleep. -Prevent bright light exposure before sleeping. Wish you good health and all the best. In future if you wish to ask query directly from me, you can use the following link: http://bit.ly/Dr-Ashish-Mittal www.99doctor.com