can't get no air

Question

at least twice a month, when breathing in I may swallow or inhale a pencil point size of saliva or not, i'm not even sure. anyway, (it also happened once or twice while I was sleeping) all of a sudden I can't get no air and I mean none, I end up sucking in as hard as I can and for what seems like forever about 30 seconds later I slowly start to breathe mostly through my nose and only after having to calm myself down a great deal. what's going on, it is the scariest thing I've ever experienced in my life. I am 52 and this has been going on for maybe 3 years but has gotten worse. thank you, steve

DrAnitha · Accepted Answer

Hi, considering your symptoms of wakefulness after sleep without any evidence of chest pain, cough or numbness, it is most likely that you may be having Obstructive Sleep Apnea. When a person sleeps the airways are usually patent allowing normal passage for air entry. The upper airway that is at the region of the tongue and the soft palate is the most compliant (soft) part. So, this is liable to collapse and cause airway obstruction. I would advise you to consult a sleep specialist who would assess with first a sleep questionnaire, and then he may ask for a polysomnogram, which is an overnight sleep study as this helps to detect the apneas. Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is by CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) where air under gentle pressure is passed into the airways keeping it patent. Regards.

cantgetenough · Answer

First off, thank you so much for your time. As for the sleep part of my not getting air, it only happened once. What  scares me most is when the tiny bit of saliva enters into my airway  for no apparent reason, sometimes it just may seep in the back of my throat and all of a sudden I can not get any, and I mean any air what so ever. So bad I think my heart is going to explode. I so appreciate your trying to help me. I don't mind dying, I just don't want to go this way... I am truly scared to death... thank you once again. Have a great day...

can't get no air

Saliva problem

Excessive Saliva

Not breathing normally, something feels wrong within throat..

Clicking sorta freaking out

Saliva problem

Excessive Saliva

Not breathing normally, something feels wrong within throat..

Clicking sorta freaking out

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