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Why do I feel like I stop breathing when falling asleep?
Fact Checked
Intus Healthcare’s writers, customer service team, and sleep experts review and ensure this information is accurate.
When we sleep, how we breathe can change. You may or may not notice these changes, but they can affect how you feel when you wake up.
Some people breathe through their nose during sleep, while others breathe through their mouth. Factors such as your sleeping position, anatomy and seasonal changes can all impact your breathing during sleep.
Feeling like you stop breathing when falling asleep can be unsettling and may disrupt your overall sleep quality. This article explains why this happens, identifies possible causes, and offers effective solutions to help you breathe and sleep better.
Table of Contents
Reasons why you feel like you stop breathing when falling asleep
When we fall asleep, our metabolic rate determines our breathing rate (1). Breathing rate measures how many breaths we take in a minute.
For many, their breathing rate slows during sleep and naturally fluctuates throughout the night as they move through the sleep cycle.
If there is a cause for concern with your breathing, it may present as bradypnea, apnoea or tachypnoea.
- Bradypnea is when a person’s breathing rate is slower than expected for their age and activity level (2). This can occur during the day or night.
- Apnoea is breathing that stops temporarily during sleep.
- Tachypnoea is a breathing rate that is higher than normal, occurring throughout the day and night (3).
| Age | Average Breathing Rate During Sleep |
| 0-1 month | 30-60 breaths per minute |
| 1 month to 12 months | 20-40 breaths per minute |
| 1 to 3 years | 20-30 breaths per minute |
| 3 to 5 years | 18-26 breaths per minute |
| 6 to 12 years | 18-24 breaths per minute |
| 13 to 18 years | 12-20 breaths per minute |
| 18 to 59 years | 12-20 breaths per minute |
| over 60 years | 12-22 breaths per minute (slight variation due to health conditions) |
Breathing that temporarily speeds up, slows down or stops during sleep can sometimes be a sign of an underlying health condition.
For many Sleep Apnoea is the root cause of their breathing irregularities during sleep, and is commonly associated with other health conditions.
Medical conditions that can affect breathing during sleep include:
Heart conditions
- Congestive Heart Failure (CHF): CHF can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep. This is because the condition leads to shortness of breath, which is worsened when lying down. This can make you feel like you stop breathing.
- Stroke: Studies have found that many people who have had a stroke experience problems sleeping due to stroke-induced sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) (4).
Mental health conditions
- Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Anxiety and panic attacks can cause your breathing rate to increase during sleep and sometimes cause the feeling of missing a breath.
- Depression: Studies have found that Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is associated with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (5), which is a blockage of the airway.
Learn more: Sleep Apnoea and Mental Health article
Airway infections
- Respiratory Tract Infections: Conditions such as sinusitis and post-nasal drip are associated with difficulty breathing during sleep. The symptoms can make it harder to breathe when lying down leading to discomfort during sleep.
It has also been found that Sleep Apnoea patients are at increased risk of developing lower respiratory tract infections within one year before and after diagnosis of Sleep Apnoea (6).
Allergies: Allergies such as allergic rhinitis can also cause problems sleeping, leading to snoring and increased risk of Sleep Apnoea. This is due to swollen and blocked sinuses, making breathing harder.
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Lung conditions
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): COPD is frequently associated with sleep disturbances due to damage to the lungs, which can cause difficulty breathing, especially while falling asleep.
- Asthma: Asthma attacks when sleeping is known as nocturnal asthma. Sleeping on your back can worsen the symptoms; if you have this condition, try to remain on your side.
Sleep conditions
- REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder (RBD): RBD is when a person physically acts out their dreams when sleeping, such as kicking and punching, which increases heart rate and affects breathing rate.
- Central Sleep Apnoea (CSA): This type of Sleep Apnoea occurs when the brain fails to send signals to the respiratory muscles in the body to breathe during sleep.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA): OSA occurs when the airway collapses during sleep, which prevents airflow and causes you to stop breathing repeatedly while sleeping.
Signs you stop breathing while sleeping
Many of the conditions mentioned above are closely linked to Obstructive Sleep Apnoea as they all directly impact breathing in sleep. It is estimated that up to 13% of men and 6% of women aged 30 to 75 in the UK have moderate to severe OSA (7).
As OSA is one of the most common reasons for breathing interruptions during sleep, it is essential to take a sleep test if you think you could have the condition.
Other symptoms of OSA include:
- Choking during sleep
- Loud snoring
- Waking up tired
- Falling asleep at the wheel
- Night sweats
- Low oxygen levels
Diagnosing Sleep Apnoea
The risk of developing Sleep Apnoea increases with age, obesity and underlying medical conditions.
Many cases of OSA remain undiagnosed, with estimates indicating that up to 80% of individuals with the condition are unaware they have it (8).
If you’re unsure if you should take a Sleep Apnoea test, first take our online risk assessment.
The Sleep Apnoea Test
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A quick and easy way to confirm if you do or do not have Sleep Apnoea is by taking a sleep test.
The test requires one night of sleep data, and the results are sent to you within two working days.
If Sleep Apnoea is detected, our in-house clinicians can walk you through your treatment options and answer any questions you may have.
Treatment for Sleep Apnoea
Although the symptoms of Sleep Apnoea can be scary, it can be easily managed through the recommended treatments provided by your doctor or sleep clinician.
Treatment varies depending on the severity and type of Sleep Apnoea, as some treatments are more effective for specific types and severities than others.
CPAP therapy
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard treatment method for Sleep Apnoea, and millions around the world benefit from it.
CPAP consists of a machine that delivers airflow at a pressurised level to the user via a tube and face mask during sleep. The air pressure keeps the airway open, preventing obstructions.
The compact and modern devices typically include a compatible CPAP app to help you track and manage your treatment progress easily.
Technological advancements have rapidly improved CPAP, with the average machine noise reaching just 26 decibels. There are also travel machine options and comfort-enhancing accessories to improve the therapy experience all year round.
Many CPAP users highlight the positive effects of using their machines, with benefits that include better health, sleep and mood.
Read more: Before and after CPAP Therapy: How your body changes
Intus Plus – CPAP therapy for just £49 per month
Our Intus Plus subscription service includes leading CPAP equipment, regular clinical consultations, remote monitoring, a success guarantee and more!
Our affordable service makes treating Sleep Apnoea simple. With our support, we’re confident that you will start enjoying your sleep and daily life again.
Mandibular Advancement Devices
Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) are mouthguards that gently pull your lower jaw forward. This process creates more space at the back of the throat to increase airflow, preventing an obstruction.
MADs are typically recommended for those with milder cases of OSA.
Positional Sleep Therapy
Positional Sleep Therapy comes in various forms, but all work similarly. For example, the Somnibel Positional Sleep Therapy Trainer is a small device worn on the forehead or chest that lightly vibrates when it detects the user has rolled onto their back.
The vibrations encourage the user to turn back onto their side to prevent airway blockages from occurring. This type of therapy is only beneficial to those with Positional Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (POSA); this means an apnoea episode occurs predominantly when a person sleeps on their back.
The Somnibel is also one of our effective anti-snoring devices!
FAQs
Is it normal to stop breathing when dozing off?
No, it is not normal to stop breathing when you start to fall asleep. This is a typical sign of Sleep Apnoea and should be addressed to ensure your body can breathe effectively during sleep.
When should I see a doctor about sleep breathing problems?
If you experience loud snoring, fatigue, or your breathing stops during sleep, you should speak with your GP or take a private sleep test.
Is hypopnoea worse than apnoea?
No, an apnoea is more severe than a hypopnoea episode. An apnoea episode is when breathing completely stops during sleep, whereas hypopnoea is when there is a reduction in airflow.
Summary
How you breathe during sleep is a huge indication if something is wrong; understanding the root cause will allow you to breathe better and sleep better.
As the risk of OSA increases with age, affecting up to 49.7% of men and 23.4% of women in older age groups, it is essential to seek medical advice if you show symptoms of the condition (9).
We understand that not getting enough sleep can affect every aspect of your life, so we are here to help.
Our revolutionary WatchPAT One sleep test, leading treatment options, and expert support can help you sleep better in as quickly as a week.
If you feel like you stop breathing when sleeping, do not hesitate to contact us. We have helped more than 250,000 people sleep better and solve their breathing issues.
About Our Editorial Team
Written By,
Danielle Mahri, Staff Writer
Danni is a degree-educated content writer who works closely with our clinical and customer services teams to ensure every article is well-researched and accurate. Each article is written to educate, help, and advise on Sleep Apnoea, spread awareness, and encourage treatment.
Medically Reviewed By,
Jay Gadher, Clinical Manager
Jay is an experienced Respiratory and Sleep Clinical Scientist. He completed his BSc in Healthcare Science, which has allowed him to gain expertise in scoring sleep studies. His knowledge and insights about sleep science and human health ensure every article reflects the latest data.
References
- Sowho M, Amatoury J, Kirkness JP, Patil SP. (2014). Sleep and respiratory physiology in adults. Clin Chest Med. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25156763/. Accessed: 13.01.2025.
- National Library of Medicine (US). (2021). Breathing – slowed or stopped. MedlinePlus. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003069.htm. Accessed: 13.01.2025.
- Park SB, Khattar D. Tachypnea. (2024). In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541062/. Accessed: 15.01.2025.
- Dirk M. Hermann, MD, and Claudio L. Bassetti, MD. (2016). Role of sleep-disordered breathing and sleep-wake disturbances for stroke and stroke recovery. Available at: https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000003037. Accessed: 13.01.2025.
- Gupta MA, Simpson FC. (2015). Obstructive sleep apnea and psychiatric disorders: a systematic review. J Clin Sleep Med. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4298774/. Accessed: 15.01.2025.
- Keto, J., Feuth, T., Linna, M. et al. (2023). Lower respiratory tract infections among newly diagnosed sleep apnea patients. Available at: https://bmcpulmmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12890-023-02623-0. Accessed: 13.01.2025.
- Sleep Apnoea Trust, Sleep Matters. (2020). How Many People in the UK Have Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)? Available at: https://sleep-apnoea-trust.org/research/. Accessed: 14.01.2025.
- Carlos, J. Garau, M. Sussex, J. (2014). Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Health Economics Report. Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/sites/default/files/OHE-OSA-health-economics-report—FINAL—v2.pdf?. Accessed: 14.01.2025.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome: How Common is it? (2021). Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/obstructive-sleep-apnoea-syndrome/background-information/prevalence/?. Accessed: 14.01.2025.