Dr. Rahul Agrawal Explains: Why Gasping During Sleep Could Be Sleep Apnea

Many individuals find snoring to be a common practice, especially in tired or obese adults. However, if one abruptly stops breathing, gags during sleep, or wakes up frequently throughout the night, it might be a symptom of sleep apnea-a problem that goes undiagnosed for many years.

According to ENT specialist at Agrawal Hospital & Research Institute, Dr. Rahul Agrawal, sleep apnea's symptoms are commonly observed by a family member or a close friend of the patient, rather than the patient themselves.

Sleep Apnea refers to a condition during which the air passage gets completely or partially blocked while one is asleep. This stoppage prevents oxygen flow to the brain, hence causing the brain to momentarily wake up and reopen the airway, and subsequently results in gagging, gasping for air, or tossing and turning.

A crucial point the ENT specialist makes is that sleep apnea doesn't simply refer to noisy snoring; many patients complain of being constantly tired, not being able to concentrate well, having headaches on waking up in the morning, being irritable, or being sleepy during the day despite getting sufficient sleep. Untreated sleep apnea also increases the risk of suffering from hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and memory related problems.

In clinical practice, patients are found to ignore these symptoms for many years, attributing them to various problems like stress, age or a stressful lifestyle, but these symptoms are crucial indicators as they impact overall physical as well as mental health greatly.

While not all people who snore suffer from sleep apnea, some symptoms of sleep apnea should never be ignored.

• Loud and regular snoring
• Gasping or choking during sleep
• Frequent night awakenings
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Trouble concentrating and memory loss

Fortunately, sleep apnea is curable with a variety of treatments-ranging from simple lifestyle and weight modifications and sleep position corrections, to more advanced treatment options like CPAP therapy and ENT-based treatments for airway obstructions.

Dr. Rahul Agrawal suggests that patients should refrain from self-diagnosis, and seek help if they notice symptoms becoming frequent, as early diagnosis can not only improve the sleep cycle, overall energy levels, and general state of being, but also help improve the long term outcome.

As the ENT specialist states, proper sleep is not a luxury, it is necessary for one’s overall health. Ignoring breathing cessation during sleep can silently put the heart, the brain, and daily routine at stake.