Is it normal to suddenly stop breathing when falling asleep?

38% Normal
10 Comments

Just as the title says, sometimes when I'm extremely relaxed or falling asleep, I just stop breathing. It doesn't hurt, and I often don't realise that I have stopped straight away- almost like I forgot to breathe or something. I start to breathe again normally (if not slighly urgently from being deprived oxygen for longer than usual) if I realise this, but I'm seriously scared of not realising that I've stopped breathing. Just wondering if anyone knows what to do or if this has ever happened to anyone else as well. Thanks!

Voting Results
38% Normal
Based on 78 votes (30 yes)
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Comments ( 10 )
  • yungathart
    14 years ago

    People do die from sleep apnea a CPAP machine is used to assure Continuous Positive Airway Pressure is provided..."JAG" is right! See the Doctor. Do you carry extra weight on yourself?

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  • c3po950
    13 years ago

    its medical relax ask ur docter about it it has a name and everthing

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  • [Old Memory]
    14 years ago

    I think it's called sleep apnia or something

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  • 123Blahblahblah
    14 years ago

    Don't worry it would be impossible to kill yourself by just not breathing, the instinct to breathe is much to strong.

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  • Jagjaguar
    14 years ago

    Sounds like you have sleep apnea. I think its somewhat common, particularly in overweight people. If you unconsciously stop breathing, especially as youre going to sleep, thats pretty much a red flag for the condition. It can be very dangerous because you stop breathing while asleep and some people never start again. Definitely worth asking your doctor about.

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  • mdrnhippy
    14 years ago

    this happens to me pretty frequently. I suffer from high anxiety and this affects my breathing. do u ever get panic attacks or shortness of breath? they may be connected to anxiety.

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    • GiantRubberDuck
      14 years ago

      I get panic attacks sometimes, also something I'm concerned about :/

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  • highschoolboy
    14 years ago

    this happens to me pretty much every night

    i am so relaxed and than dont even realize that i stop breathing and gulp for a breathe of fresh air

    and i am also worried like you that one day i might just die :s

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    • GiantRubberDuck
      14 years ago

      This is exactly what happens to me! I hate it >.<

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  • HowCanIHelp?
    14 years ago

    Well, my cousin who is in his 30s have the exact same symptom. When he sleeps, he has an oxygen mask over his mouth which is connected to some oxygen machine. It really sucks for him. I hope that was a comment you were looking for.

    All the best

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