It is perfectly normal to have difficulties breathing when you are exercising or active. But, having them while lying down is a problem that needs to be solved. There are several reasons why this may happen to any one of you and these include anxiety, diseases, conditions and more.
Most Common Causes
These are the most common reasons why you may suffer from breathing difficulties while lying.
- Snoring
- Sleep apnea
- Panic
- Respiratory infections
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Sleep apnea is the most common problem of them all. It means that your airways will be affected or obstructed while lying down and as such, not enough air will reach the lungs. There are several types of this condition, but all of these come to the same thing in the end. The best way to treat them is to use CPAP Breathing Machine.
Keep in mind that being obese or overweight can cause the same issue and the best way to solve it is to lose weight.
Last but not least, severe heart conditions and diseases can cause the same thing and it means that you need help as soon as possible.
Symptoms You Need To Pay Attention On
There are a lot of symptoms you need to keep your eye on and they depend on the disease you have.
- Snoring
- Sore throat
- Headaches
- Fatigue in the morning
- Having issues staying asleep COPD
- Chronic coughing
- Wheezing
- Chest infections
- Difficulty breathing while being active
Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
You will need to visit your doctor in order to diagnose this condition. It is important to follow their steps and to stay calm during the tests. There are several test a doctor will use in order to determine are you suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.
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Polysomnogram
This is the first and the most important test. You will need to spend a night at a hospital where they will use various systems to test how your organs are working while you sleep. They will measure brain waves, eye movement, and muscle activity among other things.
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EOM and EEG
This is another test that is very important. Electrodes will be placed on your scalp and around your eyes that will measure the brain waves and the eye movement. Keep in mind that brain waves are measured during different stages of sleep.
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EMG
EMG uses electrodes as well that are placed around the mouth. They are used to measure the muscle activity during sleep.
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EKG
EKG is used to measure the heart condition and the proper work. It can tell doctors do you suffer from some heart condition that may be an issue.
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Pulse oximetry
A doctor will use pulse oximeter that will basically measure the oxygen level in your blood. It is attached to a body part that has a high blood flow. It can be attached to a finger or earlobe.
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ABG
ABG means that a doctor will use arterial blood to test for oxygen content, saturation and several other things. ABG stands for arterial blood gas.
Treatments
If this means that you suffer from sleep apnea, there are several treatments which can help you have a normal and effective life.
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CPAP
The best and the most common used treatment is CPAP. It means that a machine will force pressurized air through the hose and a mask to your lungs and keep airways open while you sleep. It is very safe, effective and can be used by all people suffering from aforementioned condition.
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Positional therapy
This simply means that you will learn how to sleep in another position, not only on your back because sleep apnea is mostly present in people who sleep on their back.
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Surgery
In some people the best way to treat sleep apnea is to use surgery called Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. This means that a surgeon will remove small parts of tissue from the back section of your throat and therefore prevent airways from collapsing. It helps with eliminating snoring as well but isn’t proved to treat sleep apnea completely.
Conclusion
If you suffer from sleep apnea, you will need to use CPAP machine that will help you solve the symptoms and solve the problems without any issues or complications. It is still the best and the most effective treatment known to man.
