Nocturnal attacks of suffocation

Choking is the ultimate degree of shortness of breath, a painful feeling of acute lack of oxygen. It happens that an attack overtakes a person at night, when he is sleeping. Since a night attack of suffocation is always unexpected and sudden, a disoriented person who has just woken up perceives it more painfully than in the daytime, when he is awake. Night suffocation is a sign of serious health problems that cannot be ignored.

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Causes a choking attack at night

In medicine, there are several causes of respiratory failure.

Doctors collected data in search of a relationship between sleeping position, time of onset and severity of nighttime asthma attacks in patients with respiratory failure and found that asthma occurs due to increased pressure in the venous vessels. This is easily noticeable in the neck area: the veins in patients greatly enlarge and swell.

Left ventricular failure, which is characterized by nighttime attacks that resemble a strong cough. Symptoms of the disease also include rapid breathing with difficulty inhaling and exhaling. In this case, the patient wakes up feeling short of air. Severe attacks of nocturnal suffocation can cause pulmonary edema, which is life-threatening.

Bronchospasm. In medicine, they know about the connection between asthma attacks and the time of day and the characteristic development of bronchospasm at night. A person in a sitting position leans on his hands to ease the work of the muscles involved in breathing. His breathing is noisy, with accompanying whistling and wheezing. Most likely, this is a bronchospasm, which prevents the bronchi from clearing themselves of accumulated sputum. Rapid inhalation and prolonged exhalation, accompanied by wheezing and whistling, is characteristic of respiratory diseases. Bronchospasm, unlike left ventricular failure, ends with the separation of sputum mixed with mucus. An attack can develop as a result of exposure to an allergen to which the patient is sensitive: the smell of household chemicals, tobacco smoke, etc. Night suffocation is often provoked by dust, particles of pet hair, and even food for aquarium fish, due to the organic origin of which an allergy can also occur. Bronchial hyperreactivity during the day and at night can differ by 50%. Therefore, graphic recording of lung function during breathing exclusively during the day can lead to incorrect conclusions about the patient's health. It is at night that asthmatic conditions most often occur.

Choking in sleep apnea syndrome. Shortness of breath and suffocation are the result of respiratory arrest, when the respiratory tract is blocked during sleep. Choking attacks in patients with apnea can also be provoked by reflux, when the contents of the stomach are released into the esophagus. With apnea, the release may not be into the esophagus, but into the respiratory tract. Then the patient develops laryngospasm, when the muscles of the larynx suddenly contract, and the respiratory tract is blocked, making it impossible to inhale. Night cough, excessive sweating, too frequent urination, daytime sleepiness, high blood pressure, decreased potency can also indicate apnea.

Sleep paralysis. This is a rare disorder that is fleeting and relatively harmless to health, when the patient feels the inability to move, an attack of fear, in exceptional cases - difficulty breathing and an attack of suffocation. Sleep paralysis is associated with such disorders as sleep walking and daytime sleepiness.

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Symptoms a choking attack at night

The first signs of an asthma attack are pale skin, but at the same time a noticeable blush on the face. The nasolabial triangle and fingers may acquire a bluish tint, a feeling of heaviness in the chest area appears. The patient is frightened and tries to inhale through the mouth, the skin surface is covered with cold sweat, the pulse may quicken. A night attack of suffocation necessarily causes circulatory disorders. If you listen to the lungs during an attack, it is easy to detect noises and wheezing. At the beginning of the attack, when listening, they are detected exclusively in the area above the base of the lungs, but later they cover all the lungs. The spaces between the ribs can noticeably draw in as a result of efforts to inhale the maximum amount of air, and the veins in the neck swell. The consequences and complications of an attack can be very dangerous.

Night attacks of suffocation in children

A sudden and unexpected attack of suffocation at night in a child, when the child was feeling fine before, is the main sign of stenosis caused by a foreign object that has entered the respiratory system. In this case, the adult's reaction should be immediate: it is necessary to squeeze the sternum to remove the foreign object and let the child cough. The child can even be lifted by the legs and, by tapping on the back, help with coughing to remove the foreign object from the respiratory tract. An attack of suffocation, accompanied by stenosis of the larynx, also occurs as a result of inflammation of various origins - croup or allergic edema. In case of an inflammatory process, the attack usually overtakes the child at night, and in case of edema due to allergies - more often during the day.

In addition, suffocation occurs as a result of increased excitability of the nervous system, due to a lack of calcium salts, birth trauma or infection. In addition, an attack can develop against the background of rickets, gastrointestinal tract or cardiovascular system disorders.

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Diagnostics a choking attack at night

The patient examination program includes:

1. General analysis of urine, blood and feces.
2. Study of the content of total protein, protein fractions.
3. Blood test for the content and activity of lymphocytes, immunoglobulins, circulating immune complexes, and complement.
4. Sputum examination.
5. X-ray of the lungs
6. Graphic recording of the work of the lungs during breathing.
7. Electrocardiogram
8. Allergen tests that are done outside of attacks.
9. Consultations with an allergist, ENT specialist, and dentist.

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Differential diagnosis

Since asthma attacks can have different origins, to prevent relapses, it is necessary to contact a medical institution where specialists will conduct diagnostics to prescribe effective treatment. The specialist will conduct differential diagnostics of the pathology with other diseases that have similar symptoms, prescribe tests and instrumental examinations, which will allow an accurate diagnosis.

To differentiate bronchial asthma from chronic obstructive bronchitis, the doctor relies on the following signs. Young people are more likely to develop bronchial asthma. The disease begins suddenly, with paroxysmal coughing, shortness of breath, and variability in respiratory rate. With asthma, reversibility of bronchial obstruction and bronchial hyperreactivity are noticeable. When listening to the lungs, dry wheezing with a whistle is heard.

Chronic obstructive bronchitis most often develops in middle-aged or elderly people. Bronchitis is characterized by constant shortness of breath and productive cough. Dry and moist rales are detected during auscultation.

Cardiac asthma is characterized by organic diseases of the heart and blood vessels, accompanied by shortness of breath, breathing with "gurgling". Auscultation of the lungs will reveal scattered moist wheezing of various sizes, accompanied by tachycardia, arrhythmia.

Difficulty breathing, especially when exhaling, may occur due to compression of the trachea and bronchi by neoplasms, greatly enlarged lymph nodes, or an aortic aneurysm. To make a more accurate diagnosis, instrumental diagnostic methods are used: bronchoscopy, mediastinal X-ray, and CT of the lungs.

Pulmonary embolism is characterized by a sudden feeling of lack of air and severe shortness of breath; dry wheezing is detected during auscultation - this allows one to distinguish thromboembolism from bronchial asthma.

Patients with neuroses often have shortness of breath, up to attacks of suffocation. The main signs of suffocation due to pathologies of the nervous regulation of the respiratory function - if such symptoms occur during stressful situations, and wheezing in the lungs is absent when listening.

Treatment a choking attack at night

Usually, a night attack of suffocation overtakes a person outside the hospital walls. How to properly provide assistance before the doctors arrive? First of all, you need to try to ease breathing, calm the patient, help him stand up. The patient should take a vertical position, leaning his hands on something, and breathe shallowly, with a long exhalation. Then organize the air supply. The victim's limbs must be warmed with a heating pad or held in warm water. Also, mustard plasters are put on the patient's chest or back. Before providing medical assistance, the patient should take euphyllin and ephedrine orally, one tablet each.

A person who periodically has nighttime asthma attacks should have a thermos with boiling water or expectorant herbal decoction in the bedroom. Hot food in combination with expectorants can usually stop the asthma attack. In case of a severe attack, it is necessary to inhale a sympathomimetic (up to 2-3 times).

Emergency care for suffocation due to foreign objects in the respiratory tract is carried out according to the same algorithm as for drowning. The main thing is to stay calm, do not let panic take hold of you, then it will be easier to provide emergency care quickly and effectively. To remove the object from the larynx, squeeze the sternum, then the object will be pushed into the respiratory tract. Then lean the victim forward so that he coughs. When the attack of suffocation passes and breathing returns to normal, you need to see a doctor. Treatment in this case will necessarily include antibiotics, which will prevent pneumonia.

If the cause of suffocation is allergic edema, the patient should use an antihistamine: diphenhydramine, suprastin or tavegil. In addition, he is given ¼ glass of 10% calcium gluconate or calcium chloride solution. If taking these drugs does not give results, prednisolone is injected at a dosage of 2 ml.

When night attacks of suffocation are repeated due to bronchial asthma, treatment with drugs that eliminate bronchospasm is necessary: ephedrine, theophedrine, antasman. The attack can be removed by using inhalers or aerosols, if it is possible to ensure the necessary level of inhalation. Suffocation due to bronchial asthma can be relieved by massaging the upper body. Massage movements are performed starting from the head down - along the back and chest.

When an attack of suffocation occurs unexpectedly, and there are no necessary medications nearby, you can try using the means that are at hand. For example, ammonia, which should be given to the patient to smell; or small pieces of ice that the patient should swallow. Tincture of valerian and soda help to thin phlegm.

Treatment of night attacks of suffocation with homeopathic remedies

Homeopathic therapy is now combined with traditional medicine. The goal of homeopathy in this case is to form optimal immunological reactivity.

Homeopaths recommend Ipecacuanha, Sambucus and Moschus. If the attacks of suffocation are severe, when the pressure in the chest increases even with a slight movement, there are wheezing sounds in the lungs, and the cough is dry and spasmodic, there is every reason to take Ipecacuanha.

Sambucus is recommended if the allergic reaction has affected the bronchi and night attacks are accompanied by a convulsive cough, spasms in the larynx and chest, wheezing, shortness of breath, fears, and trembling.

Moschus is used in suffocation which has hysterical features.

Cuprum metallicum can sometimes stop an attack in just minutes. It is only a cough that is relieved by sipping cold water.

In the periods between attacks, homeopathic treatment has certain advantages due to the gradual effect on immune reactivity.

In addition to the above preparations, Spongia and Antimonium tartaricum are used to eliminate recurring attacks. If the disease is characterized by a spasmodic cough similar to tuberculosis, then Drosera, Rumex and Sticta pulmonaria are prescribed. If suffocation often occurs at night, and the patient at the time of an attack of suffocation takes a sitting position and leans forward, and the sputum is viscous and with mucus, he is recommended to be treated with Kalium bichromicum.

Herbal treatment

Traditional medicine categorically does not recommend starting treatment with folk recipes for acute nocturnal attacks of suffocation. However, the use of folk medicine is justified as a preventive measure. This treatment requires time and regularity, only then will the effect be noticeable.

• Rosehip decoction

Rose hips contain many antioxidants and vitamins. One of the many useful properties of rose hips is a favorable effect on blood vessels. To prepare a medicinal infusion, take 2 tablespoons of crushed fruits, pour in water at room temperature and leave for 10-12 hours. Then strain the infusion and drink ½ glass before meals.

In case of prolonged suffocation, a recipe made from strawberry leaves is effective. It will help to cope with high blood pressure and will have a mild diuretic effect.

• Strawberry leaves

1 tablespoon of leaves is poured with 0.5 l of water, boiled on the fire until half of the water evaporates. The decoction is taken 1 tablespoon every two hours.

• Wild rosemary decoction

A decoction of wild rosemary is used as an expectorant. In addition, it has an anti-allergic effect. 1 tablespoon of the herb is poured with a glass of boiling water, boiled in water for 10 minutes. Take 1 tablespoon 4-5 times during the day.

Treatment with folk remedies

There are many known folk remedies that help prevent nighttime asthma attacks.

• Massage

A little dry wine or ¼ teaspoon of soda shortly before the session will help to thin the phlegm, which in bronchial asthma is usually thick and difficult to separate. The massage begins with the head, gradually moving to the chest.

• Breathing exercises

Breathing exercises can also be very effective. There are even special breathing exercise techniques taken from yoga practices. An excellent way to practice deep exhalations is to fill balloons. Two inflated balloons daily will prevent suffocation attacks. If you practice shallow breathing, you can stop the attack from getting worse. To do this, practice short inhalations and exhalations so that the entire possible volume of the lungs is used. With each such inhalation and exhalation, you need to stop breathing for a few seconds.

• Nettle

A unique method of folk healers that instantly relieves an attack. To do this, dry leaves are thrown into a lit fire, and the resulting smoke is inhaled. The result will appear immediately. People suffering from night attacks of suffocation should stock up on nettles in advance. It is not necessary to light a fire - an ordinary gas stove and deep dishes will be enough for this.

• Homemade Elixir

Mix 200 g of honey, aloe juice, butter and 200 ml of vodka thoroughly and drink 1 teaspoon before meals 3 times a day.

In addition to these recipes, there is an opinion that in case of suffocation associated with heart problems, the use of goat's milk, rich in potassium, which helps restore the functioning of the cardiovascular system, will help.

Physiotherapy for night attacks of suffocation

During periods of asthma exacerbation, physiotherapeutic methods focus on reducing or eliminating bronchial spasm, restoring ventilation and drainage function in the bronchi and lungs.

Many methods are used during attacks, but the best results are shown by treatment with electric currents, high-frequency fields and ultrasound. For this, a device with a power of 80-100 watts is used. The course of treatment consists of 6-8 daily, each of which lasts 10-15 minutes.

Inductothermy. Consists of placing an inductor between the blades – with a current of 180-220 mA. The course is designed for 10-12 daily sessions of 10-15 minutes.

Microwave therapy, phonophoresis, and UHF therapy are also used to treat recurring attacks.

To prevent relapses of asthmatic attacks, inhalations of drugs that have a bronchodilator or expectorant effect are used. Electrophoresis of calcium chloride and diphenhydramine is prescribed for the treatment of vasomotor rhinitis and allergic rhinosinusopathy.

In order to influence the higher regulatory centers of the nervous system, electrosleep is used. In order to achieve desensitization and activation of air flow into the lungs, aeroionotherapy with negative charges is used. At the same time, treatment aimed at general health improvement is used.

Prevention

This is as important a question as the treatment. This is especially true for patients who are at risk: smokers, people with a hereditary predisposition, workers with difficult working conditions, suffering from atopic dermatitis. In fact, everything is not so difficult, you need to follow some rules:

• clean the premises regularly;
• try to get rid of things that collect dust;
• use air purifiers;
• ventilate the room more often;
• do not neglect the rules of personal hygiene;
• monitor the cleanliness of animals kept in the house;
• minimize aeroallergens in everyday life (perfumes, household chemicals, etc.);
• go on holiday to places with a mild maritime climate;
• balanced healthy diet;
• lead an active lifestyle.

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Forecast

The prognosis depends entirely on the severity of the attack, how quickly assistance was provided, and the cause of the suffocation. If the airways are completely blocked, death occurs quickly - perhaps even before the arrival of doctors. Due to recurrence of attacks, constant oxygen starvation of the body develops, which affects the functioning of almost all organs.

In medical practice, surgical intervention is not used to treat night attacks of suffocation, but both traditional medicine and folk healers have at their disposal a whole arsenal of means to help cope with the disease. The main thing is to establish the cause of the attacks and select a set of effective treatment measures.