Getting to sleep.

[betsyrose9103]

My husband (60 and normally in good health) has trouble getting to sleep because of a sudden loss of breath (about 3-4 seconds) just before falling a sleep.  He normally falls asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow.  For two weeks now, he is struggling to fall asleep and stay asleep.  We thought it could be gas and an upset stomach but that is gone.  Now we think is is a lung/sinus problem but can't seem to control it.  The odd thing about this is that he can have this problem sitting up as well as laying down.  He is taking ClearLungs and Marshmallow along with a digestive enzyme.  Is there anything out there that we can try?

[betsyrose9103]

Thank you for responding to my question.  We are going to see a naturopath this week and are doing some of the breathing exercises you suggested.  

[Paxiled]

See a doctor -- this could be a heart problem or the onset of apnea, just as much as it could be nothing.  Natural treatment works best after you find out what's up.  Marshmallow and clear lungs will only help if it's mucous congestion, and it doesn't sound like that -- that wouldn't cause loss of breath unless it had turned into pneumonia or some other fairly serious lung congestion.

[hava]

Some thing you can do yourself to help with the gas problem and sleep problem.
Let me know, when start to feel the benefit.
Pavanmuktasan (gas release)
Lie down on the floor. Bring left knee up, hold with both hands and pull towards the chest, then hold for 2 seconds and release. Then . bring right  knee up, hold with both hands and pull towards the chest, then hold for 2 seconds and release. Then bring both  knees up, hold with both hands and pull towards the chest, then hold for 2 seconds and release.
Repeat all this two more times.

Do this pranayam daily, with eyes closed.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.

Anulom Vilom pranayam –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 20 to 30  minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.

Bhramri Pranayam -Close eyes. Close ears with thumb, index finger on forehead, and rest three fingers on base of nose touching eyes. Breathe in through nose. And now breathe out through nose while humming like a bee.
Repeat this  5 to 21 times.
August 6, 2011