Doctors Answers (3)
A sleep study will help us to determine if the feeling of lack of air because of a central versus obstructive sleep apnea.
It absolutely is not normal. If you have hunger for air, choking, gasping, leg swelling or a dry mouth in the morning you may have sleep apnea. If you are tired as well, during the day or have poorly refreshing sleep in combination with the other symptoms then a referral to a sleep specialist may be in order.
Not necessarily. Your sensation of not getting enough air when you breathe while you are awake doesn't necessarily translate to sleep apnea when you are asleep. There are multiple reasons why people have that sensation. This could lower respiratory like asthma or COPD. Or upper respirator like deviated septum or turbinate hypertrophy. In any case, if you have that sensation you should be seen by an MD.
