Here Are 13 Reasons Why You Are Waking Up Gasping For Air!

It’s always disconcerting when you abruptly wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air. You may wonder, “why am I waking up gasping for air?” There are a number of reasons why this might be happening, some more serious than others.

Here are 13 common reasons why you might be waking up gasping for air:

1. Sleep apnea

Do you have trouble breathing at night? If so, you might have obstructive sleep apnea. This serious medical condition can cause a temporary stop to breathe during the night, leading to disrupted sleep and fatigue. Left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can lead to other health problems, such as high blood pressure and mood swings.

Do you think you might have obstructive sleep apnea? Here’s what you need to know about this severe sleep disorder.

Home remedies for sleep apnea:

If you are looking for home remedies for sleep apnea, there are a few things you can do to try to alleviate the symptoms. These include:

• Avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol
• Losing weight if you are overweight
• Sleeping on your side instead of your back
• Using a humidifier at night
• Clearing your nasal passages before bedtime

While these home remedies may help lessen sleep apnea symptoms, it is important to see a doctor if you think you might have the condition. Only a trained medical professional can properly diagnose and treat obstructive sleep apnea. If you suspect sleep apnea, don’t wait – talk to your doctor today.

2. Allergies

Seasonal allergies can cause several symptoms, including congestion, sneezing, and itchy eyes. If your allergies are bad enough, they could also be causing you to wake up gasping for air, and you might even suddenly involuntarily gasp for air while you are awake.

If you think your nighttime gasping is due to seasonal allergies, there are a few things you can do to try to lessen your symptoms.

These include:

• Staying inside when pollen levels are high
• Showering before bedtime to wash away pollen
• Keeping your windows closed during allergy season
• Using an air purifier in your bedroom
• Treating your allergies with medications such as antihistamines

Talk to your doctor if you’re unsure whether your nighttime gasping is due to allergies or something else. They can help you get to the bottom of what’s causing your symptoms and recommend the best course of treatment.

3. Asthma

Are you waking up choking? You might have asthma. If you have asthma, you know it can cause different symptoms, including shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. Asthma can also cause you to wake up gasping for air.

If you think your nighttime gasping is due to asthma, you can do a few things to try to lessen your symptoms.

These include:

Talk to your doctor if you’re unsure whether your nighttime gasping is due to asthma or something else. They can help you get to the bottom of what’s causing your symptoms and recommend the best course of treatment.

4. GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. GERD can cause many symptoms, including heartburn, chest pain, and trouble swallowing. In some cases, it can also cause you to wake up gasping for air.

If you think your nighttime gasping is due to GERD, there are a few things you can do to try to lessen your symptoms.

These include:

• Avoiding trigger foods such as caffeine, chocolate, and spicy foods
• Eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day
• Sleeping with your head elevated
• Avoiding lying down for three hours after eating

If you’re not sure whether your nighttime gasping is due to GERD or something else, talk to your doctor. They can help you get to the bottom of what’s causing your symptoms and recommend the best course of treatment.

5. Anxiety

Are you waking up with shortness of breath in the morning? Anxiety can cause several different physical symptoms, including shortness of breath, chest pain, and heart palpitations. In some cases, anxiety can also cause you to wake up gasping for air.

If you think your nighttime gasping is due to anxiety, there are a few things you can do to try to lessen your symptoms.

These include:

If you’re not sure whether your nighttime gasping is due to anxiety or something else, talk to your doctor. They can help you get to the bottom of what’s causing your symptoms and recommend the best course of treatment.

6. Postnasal Drip

Postnasal drip is when mucus drains from the sinuses into the throat. This can cause a number of different symptoms, including coughing, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing. In some cases, postnasal drip can also cause you to wake up gasping for air.

If you think your nighttime gasping is due to a postnasal drip, there are a few things you can do to try to lessen your symptoms.

These include:

• Taking antihistamines to reduce mucus production
• Using a humidifier to keep the air moist
• Avoiding triggers such as dust or pollen
• Drinking plenty of fluids

If you’re not sure whether your nighttime gasping is due to a postnasal drip or something else, talk to your doctor. They can help you get to the bottom of what’s causing your symptoms and recommend the best course of treatment.

7. Sinus infection

A sinus infection, also known as sinusitis, is a condition in which the sinuses become inflamed. This can cause a number of different symptoms, including headaches, facial pain, and difficulty breathing through the nose. In some cases, a sinus infection can also cause you to wake up gasping for air.

If you think your nighttime gasping is due to a sinus infection, there are a few things you can do to try to lessen your symptoms.

These include:

• Using a humidifier to keep the air moist
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• Applying warm compresses to the face

If you’re not sure whether your nighttime gasping is due to a sinus infection or something else, talk to your doctor. They can help you get to the bottom of what’s causing your symptoms and recommend the best course of treatment.

8. Hypnic Jerk

A hypnic jerk is a type of involuntary muscle twitch that occurs when you are falling asleep. It can cause you to wake up with a sudden jolt, and in some cases, it can also cause you to wake up gasping for air.

If you think your nighttime gasping is due to a hypnic jerk, there are a few things you can do to try to lessen your symptoms.

These include:

• Staying well-hydrated
• Avoiding caffeine and other stimulants
• Getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night
• Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation

If you’re not sure whether your nighttime gasping is due to a hypnic jerk or something else, talk to your doctor. They can help you get to the bottom of what’s causing your symptoms and recommend the best course of treatment.

9. Bronchitis

Bronchitis is when the bronchi, or airways, become inflamed. This can cause a number of different symptoms, including coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain. In some cases, bronchitis can also cause you to wake up gasping for air.

If you think your nighttime gasping is due to bronchitis, there are a few things you can do to try to lessen your symptoms.

These include:

• Taking over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce inflammation and pain
• Using a humidifier to keep the air moist
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Avoiding triggers such as smoke or pollution

If you’re not sure whether your nighttime gasping is due to bronchitis or something else, talk to your doctor. They can help you get to the bottom of what’s causing your symptoms and recommend the best course of treatment.

10. Pulmonary edema

If you’re feeling short of breath, have chest pain, or have a persistent cough, it’s essential to see a doctor – you might have pulmonary edema, a condition caused by excess fluid in the lungs. Left untreated, pulmonary edema can make breathing difficult and even cause death. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to managing this condition.

Is there anything you can do at home?

If you think you might have pulmonary edema, it’s important to see a doctor right away. There is no home treatment for this condition.

However, there are a few things you can do to try to ease your symptoms in the meantime:

• Sit up straight – this can help reduce the pressure on your lungs
• Take shallow breaths – deep breathing can make your symptoms worse
• Stay calm – anxiety will only make your symptoms worse

If you’re not sure whether your nighttime gasping is due to pulmonary edema or something else, talk to your doctor. They can help you get to the bottom of what’s causing your symptoms and recommend the best course of treatment.

11. Anemia

Anemia is when the body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells. This can cause many different symptoms, including fatigue, shortness of breath, and dizziness. In some cases, anemia can also cause you to wake up gasping for air.

If you think your nighttime gasping is due to anemia, you can do a few things to try to lessen your symptoms.

These include:

• Eating iron-rich foods such as lean meat, dark leafy greens, or fortified cereals
• Taking over-the-counter iron supplements
• Drinking plenty of fluids

If you’re not sure whether your nighttime gasping is due to anemia or something else, talk to your doctor. They can help you get to the bottom of what’s causing your symptoms and recommend the best course of treatment.

12. Heart Failure

Heart failure can be a scary thing. It occurs when our hearts can’t pump blood effectively, usually due to heart valves that are malfunctioning or coronary artery disease. If you’re having trouble breathing, getting medical attention immediately is important, as this could be a sign of heart failure. Other symptoms of heart failure include chest pain, extreme fatigue, and swelling in the legs.

Is there anything you can do besides visiting a doctor?

If you think you might be experiencing heart failure, it’s important that you see a doctor right away. There is no home treatment for this condition. However, there are a few things you can do to try to ease your symptoms in the meantime:

• Sit up straight – this can help reduce the pressure on your heart
• Take shallow breaths – deep breathing can make your symptoms worse
• Stay calm – anxiety will only make your symptoms worse

If you’re not sure whether your nighttime gasping is due to heart failure or something else, talk to your doctor. They can help you get to the bottom of what’s causing your symptoms and recommend the best course of treatment.

13. Medications

In some cases, the medications you’re taking could be causing your nighttime gasping. Some common culprits include beta-blockers (used to treat high blood pressure), ACE inhibitors (used to treat heart conditions), and diuretics (used to treat fluid retention). If you think your medications might be to blame, talk to your doctor – they may be able to adjust your dosage or switch you to a different medication.

When Do I Need To Seek Help?

It may be normal if you’re only gasping for air occasionally and other symptoms do not accompany it. But if it happens frequently or is accompanied by other symptoms, you should see a doctor. Anytime you experience chest pain or shortness of breath, you must get medical help immediately. If there’s an underlying cause, treatment can help you get back to a restful night’s sleep.