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1486435 tn?1316470899

Drifting to sleep, then not breathing?

HI, for the last 6 months almost every night, as soon as i drift off to sleep i stop breathing, and automatically wake up. it starts with a numbing feeling in my head, well more accurately my brain goes numb, as i'm almost asleep,  then i stop breathing. What could cause this?
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1486435 tn?1316470899
Thanks, for getting back to me.
I'm not a really active person, i'm a book worm i'd rather have my nose in a book more than being outside lol....When i stop breathing its usually when i'm laying on my stomach, and One side of my nose ALWAYS stops up. I've always been a stomach sleeper. I guess I had better start being more active lol

Thank you for the info, I have a check up in a few weeks with my ob, i'll deffinitely bring it up to here and see if she can refer me to a sleep specialist.

One more question, could this also be link to sleep peralisis? I've also had that happen to me a couple times. Theres no hulsinations with the peralisis, its like my mind wakes up before my body does, cant more, cant open my eyes, and cant call out for help.  
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello and hope you are doing well.

Considering your symptoms of wakefulness after a few hours of 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.

As the air way collapses the lungs do not have air entry leading to deoxygenation (decreased oxygen) of blood and the person wakes up. This period of non entry of air is called ‘Apnea’ and the waking up is called an ‘Arousal’. This keeps alternating and the person may not actually wake up all the time, but these repeated arousals can disturb the sleep architecture and cause fatigue, headaches and daytime sleepiness. These people are also more prone for Hypertension. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is more common in people who snore. 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. In the meantime you could avoid taking alcohol and try to sleep on your side as this keeps the airways patent. If any nasal blocks try to keep them patent with OTC nasal decongestants. Aim for optimum weight with exercises or long walks and walk your way to sleeping well!!

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.
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1622896 tn?1562364967
COMMUNITY LEADER
    Hi sounds to me you have Sleep Apnea you may have to have a CPAP Machine..Please ask your Doctor to send you for a Sleep Study that will tell you everything.....Take Care.........Bob
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