It’s that strange muscle spasm that happens when you’re lying in bed, trying to sleep, and are suddenly jolted awake because you feel like you stumbled over something. You may struggle to take breaths, feel faint, and become nauseous during a panic attack. Be sure to keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool. Welcome to our online community here at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center! American Family Physician states that doctors can diagnose 66 percent of cases of shortness of breath just on clinical presentation. For most people, sleep paralysis happens because they have had irregular sleep patterns and are now trying to return to a regular sleep schedule. According to an article in American Family Physician, 85 percent of conditions that trigger chronic shortness of breath relate to your lungs, heart, or mental health. And learning what’s really going on during such an episode could help calm your anxiety if it happens to you. Stress related to COVID-19 is impacting sleep for many Utahns, and that can hurt overall health. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Copyright © 2021 The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. This leads to breathing difficulties. Smoking or exposure to harmful chemicals can cause COPD. They may refer you to a sleep specialist who can help you solve the problem. The next two days were a blur: Schore fell asleep on her bed, hallucinating butterflies. Months after the COVID-19 pandemic began, life is still far from normal, and, to the chagrin of us parents, our kids’ bedtimes can often feel like a chaotic battle. Pick a regular bedtime that works for you, and make it a priority to get the number of hours of sleep that leaves you consistently feeling refreshed throughout the day. You may also have symptoms like wheezing, coughing, mucus production, and tightness in the chest. All rights reserved. Get tips from Ohio State experts right to your inbox. Conditions that affect your heart can interfere with its ability to pump blood. You may experience nighttime shortness of breath related to your asthma because: Asthma can also be triggered by conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Your mental well-being can correlate with nighttime shortness of breath. These vivid fragments of dreams can be confusing and frightening, especially if you’ve woken up because of a disturbing nightmare. Staggering when you try to walk. You may also experience chest pain, coughing, and swelling. “The reason you [feel like you] can’t get enough air in is that you’re already breathing at your max, and therefore there isn’t room to increase the breathing,” Dr. Castriotta says. You should talk to your doctor about the symptom to diagnose the underlying cause. Those with underlying conditions, such as a history of trauma, may benefit from psychotherapy. With each stage, your breathing pattern grows more rhythmic and you become less likely to awaken, even from loud noises. You awaken throughout the night to take deeper breaths, preventing you … Last medically reviewed on April 22, 2019. Some sleep researchers believe hypnopompic hallucinations can explain stories of nighttime alien abductions or demons visiting the bedroom. E arly on, patients with both mild and severe Covid-19 say they can’t breathe. Her GP could find nothing of concern but referred her anyway for a routine ear, nose and throat (ENT) clinic check-up. Many cultures … These visions may seem particularly real because they straddle the boundary between wakefulness and dream sleep. The inferior lobe is a section of the human lung. Researchers say asthma that is poorly controlled can increase a person’s risk of developing AFib, although the reasons why aren’t entirely clear. But when you’re asleep, this process doesn’t work as well. 41-year-old Samantha29269 posted a message on the forum saying that for the last few months she'd had something stuck at the base of her throat, like a lump, that came and went. If you awaken suddenly from REM sleep, that glycine-mediated paralysis may still be in effect, even though you’re now conscious. But like David, her experience has been far from smooth. Most dry coughs are lingering symptoms of colds and flus, but there are a few other possible causes. Body aches, major fatigue, etc. By clicking "Subscribe" you agree to our Terms of Use. Get out of bed and do something relaxing until you feel sleepy and then go back to bed. Some people might also experience hallucinations. Open windows may cause allergens like pollen to enter your room as well. If you have a disability and experience difficulty accessing this content, contact our webmaster at webmaster@osumc.edu. Structures of the balance system inside the inner ear. The Link Between Asthma and Atrial Fibrillation, How Anxiety Can Cause Shortness of Breath and What You Can Do, The 6 Best Bedtime Teas That Help You Sleep. Make your bedroom a shrine to sleep. Shortness of breath when you lie down is called orthopnea. You need to understand the cause of your nighttime shortness of breath to treat it. chronic pain, substance abuse, frequent trips to the bathroom, disturbing nightmares or nicotine withdrawal in smokers). Smoking is linked to many diseases and disorders, such as cancer, heart disease, and breathing problems, which can drain your energy. Now, after recovering from the infection, some of them say they can’t think. Some people describe experiencing shortness of breath and feeling like they’d been suffocated. Aneesa Das, MD. It branches into the right and left pulmonary…. Panic attack or anxiety. “There are so many studies that show deep breathing is one easy, accessible practice … Long naps can leave you feeling groggy and may make it harder to fall asleep at night. Are these visions actually real? Five hours later, she was struggling to breathe. What’s Causing My ‘Unproductive’ Dry Cough at Night and How Can I Treat It? You’re more likely to encounter sleep paralysis if you’re under a lot of stress or have experienced threatening or traumatic life events. You should seek medical treatment for pneumonia if you have a high fever along with shortness of breath and coughing. There are two parts of every sleep cycle: rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep. Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, dry cough, fatigue, loss of appetite, loss of smell, and body ache. It makes you wonder if you’re really awake or if you’re still dreaming. One is something obstructing the airway, which is not an issue in COVID-19. Most adults need seven to eight hours, but some need nine, or as few as six or seven. Sleep apnea is a condition that occurs during sleep and causes narrowing airways and a low oxygen level. COVID-19 Patient: “I couldn’t get up without fainting and I can’t taste anything." As for the sensation of something sitting on your chest, that’s usually because of the way breathing is regulated in REM sleep. Stop smoking. Learn about techniques like pursed lip breathing with the help of these…. This is known as heart failure. When you’re awake, the muscles of your throat contract to stiffen your airway and keep it from collapsing when you suck in air. Why Do I Have Heart Palpitations at Night? It can also be caused by anything that spurs frequent awakenings (e.g. Other conditions associated with heart failure include high blood pressure or if your heart experiences trauma, inflammation, or irregular heart rate.