Waking up tired and short of breath is a common question nowadays, and people wonder if it's dangerous. It can be a symptom of many medical conditions, including a warning sign of serious cardiopulmonary disease.
Refer to the article below by Ru9 to understand the causes of waking up tired and short of breath, so you can take better and more appropriate care of your health.
1. What causes waking up tired and short of breath?
When breathing is more difficult than usual and the body feels tired, these are signs of shortness of breath. Frequent shortness of breath upon waking affects health and productivity throughout the day. The causes of shortness of breath can include reduced oxygen in the blood, respiratory problems, pleural effusion, or, more seriously, heart failure. Specifically:
Obstructive sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious medical condition. It occurs when the soft tissues in the throat relax, blocking the airway and causing temporary pauses in breathing (apnea episodes). This often results in sudden sleep disturbance, causing you to wake up often gasping for air, feeling short of breath, and tired.
Other symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include snoring, daytime fatigue, dry mouth, sore throat, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating at work, mood swings, and high blood pressure.
Obstructive sleep apnea is more common in people who are overweight, smoke, drink alcohol, or have diabetes or asthma. It can also occur more frequently in people with naturally narrow airways or nasal deformities for some reason.
See more: Beware of sleep apnea, what should you do?
Postnasal drip
Postnasal drip occurs when mucus from the nose drains down the throat, causing nasal congestion, coughing, throat clearing, or spitting up phlegm. If there is enough mucus in the throat, it can completely block the airway and cause you to temporarily stop breathing during sleep, leading to fatigue and gasping for air upon waking.
Postnasal drip is a reason why you wake up tired and short of breath.
Postnasal drip is often caused by colds, allergies, infections, a deviated septum, weather changes, food allergies, and the effects of certain medications.
Nocturnal asthma
Asthma is an inflammatory condition of the airways, causing them to constrict and making breathing more difficult. If you have asthma and wake up tired and short of breath at night, this could be the cause.
Anxiety
If you experience extreme anxiety during sleep, you may find yourself gasping for air upon waking. This is most noticeable after a nightmare.
If anxiety is the reason you wake up tired and short of breath, you may also experience other symptoms such as sweating, chills, and chest pain.
What causes waking up tired and short of breath?
See more: How to Sleep Well Without Nightmares
Acid reflux (Gastroesophageal reflux disease)
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid or bile flows into the food pipe, irritating its lining. When this substance flows up to the larynx or throat, it can cause shortness of breath, waking up tired, and a feeling of discomfort.
Acid reflux can also be accompanied by symptoms of heartburn, bad breath, eroded tooth enamel, and chronic sore throat.
Hypnic jerks
Hypnic jerks are involuntary muscle spasms that occur during sleep. They can cause you to jolt and wake up suddenly. This is an unpleasant experience that can leave you feeling tired and short of breath upon waking. The good news is that hypnic jerks are not a cause for concern, but they can worsen due to anxiety, caffeine, or lack of sleep.
Pulmonary edema
Pulmonary edema is caused by excess fluid in the lungs and is often associated with heart disease. This fluid buildup can cause shortness of breath, making you wake up tired and with difficulty breathing. This condition can also be accompanied by wheezing, sudden anxiety, chest pain, and frothy cough.
Heart failure
Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump blood effectively due to valve abnormalities or coronary artery disease. Shortness of breath and fatigue upon waking are common symptoms of heart failure. If you wake up extremely tired, short of breath, with chest pain, or swollen legs, seek immediate medical attention.
2. Is waking up tired and short of breath dangerous?
If waking up tired and short of breath does not happen frequently and is not accompanied by other symptoms (such as chest pain or prolonged shortness of breath), then this is normal and may not be a cause for excessive concern.
However, if it recurs frequently and is accompanied by other symptoms, you should go to the hospital for a more thorough health check-up. Any persistent chest pain or shortness of breath requires early medical attention.
Identifying the underlying cause will allow for appropriate treatment to help stabilize your health and restore peaceful sleep.
3. How to treat waking up tired and short of breath?
The treatment for this symptom depends on its underlying cause and the patient's general health. Based on the causes, there are various treatment and improvement approaches:
Treating postnasal drip
If caused by postnasal drip, you can use a nasal rinse to help clear excess mucus. Saline nasal sprays can help moisturize the nasal passages. Elevate your head while sleeping to promote proper drainage and prevent mucus from blocking the airway.
Treating hypnic jerks
Hypnic jerks can be treated by lifestyle changes, including:
- Adjusting your sleep schedule
- Improving sleep quality: Your mattress is a crucial factor in sleep quality and health. Therefore, to get better sleep with a soft mattress (preferably a foam mattress or natural latex mattress) of good quality, supporting the spine and neck, ensuring the body is comfortable, and muscles are relaxed without being compressed when lying in various positions.
- Reducing stress
- Cutting back on caffeine at least six hours before bedtime.
Treating anxiety and panic disorders
Reducing stress and reducing caffeine intake helps alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and panic disorders. Talk therapy with a therapist can also be helpful, helping to identify the causes and triggers of anxiety and panic attacks and finding ways to manage the symptoms. In some cases, your doctor may also prescribe medication.
Additionally, to relax the patient's mind, ensure the bedroom environment is as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Prepare a soft pillow and bolster with cooling bed sheets and ensure dim, soft lighting for a good, comfortable night's sleep.
Improve sleep quality, reduce stress to alleviate waking up tired and short of breath.
See more: How to Clear Your Mind When Sleeping
Treating obstructive sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a dangerous medical condition and requires treatment. Your doctor may advise weight loss if you are currently overweight and quitting smoking if you smoke.
Treating pulmonary edema
Pulmonary edema requires immediate treatment in reputable medical facilities. Delay can be life-threatening.
Treating acid reflux
If you wake up tired and short of breath due to acid reflux, your doctor will suggest a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. Lifestyle changes include quitting smoking and avoiding unhealthy foods and drinks such as:
- Greasy, spicy foods
- Acidic foods
- Alcohol
- Avoid eating two to three hours before bedtime. Sleep with your head and upper body slightly elevated.
- If necessary, your doctor may prescribe antacids and medications to reduce acid production.
Treating heart failure
Heart failure is a chronic disease that requires continuous treatment. Your doctor may prescribe specific medications for mild heart failure cases. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
There are many reasons that answer the question "What causes waking up tired and short of breath, and is it dangerous?" We hope this article has provided you with answers. While it's good to research information related to waking up tired and short of breath, you should not self-treat at home but rather visit reputable medical facilities for a health check-up.
The above article is for reference only and does not replace medical advice. We wish you good health and restful sleep.
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