2. Choking or Gasping for Air: The Terrifying Midnight Wake-Up Call
One of the more frightening symptoms of OSA is waking up gasping or choking. This occurs when breathing stops (known as an apnea), leading to a drop in oxygen levels. The brain, sensing this decline, sends a panic signal to wake the person just enough to restart breathing.
These events can occur dozens or even hundreds of times a night. This leads to highly fragmented sleep, preventing the individual from reaching or maintaining the deep stages of sleep necessary for true rest and restoration. Over time, this can lead to a host of health problems, including heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes.
Beyond the physical, there’s an emotional toll. The sensation of choking or not being able to breathe can be deeply distressing.
Many OSA patients report feelings of anxiety around bedtime, fearing the apneas that might occur. This anxiety can exacerbate the problem, making it even harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.
While snoring might be the more “known” symptom of OSA, these apneic events are perhaps the most indicative of the disorder’s severity. Anyone who experiences these events or has been told by a partner that they stop breathing during sleep should seek medical evaluation promptly. (2)
