Question Title: Sudden Waking

My wife tells that every night, about an hour and a half after I fall asleep, I bolt up suddenly, make loud choking sounds, and generally act as if I'm terrorized by something. Sometimes my eyes are open with a glazed-look, other times I just cough and choke, then imediately fall back asleep. She says she often times tells me to relax, that everything's okay, and to just go back to sleep. On ocassion, I will say something about choking in my sleep. I have no recollection of these episodes, and I'm wondering what it could be. It scares my wife, I know that. Does this sound like a night terror to you? Sleep apnea? Any information you can provide before I see the doctor would be very helpful.

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Dear John:

Your symptom suggests the possibility of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). This is actually quite a common disorder. It is important to recognise and treat it, because untreated OSAS can cause significant cardiovascular (hypertension, arrhythmias, coronary events), pulmonary (pulmonary hypertension, polycythemia), and neurological (headaches, excessive daytime drowsiness, strokes) morbidity.

Diagnosis is made by doing a sleep study (polysomnography). Treatment with a breathing device called nasal CPAP is usually quite effective.

You maywant to request for a consultation with a sleep specialist, who is commonly either a neurologist or a pulmonologist.

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