Can't sleep due to anxiety? 6 tips on how to have a good rest

Heart rhythm disturbances at night are associated with neurosis, disruption of the autonomic nervous system, apnea syndrome (breathing cessation), increased blood pressure, and diseases of the digestive system. Arrhythmia at night can be in the form of bradycardia, conduction block, extrasystole, paroxysmal tachycardia. Treatment requires searching for and correcting the underlying pathology and taking medications.

Causes of arrhythmia at night

The main factor in predominantly nocturnal cardiac arrhythmias is an imbalance between sympathetic and parasympathetic regulation of myocardial contractions. The night is called the “kingdom of the vagus,” that is, the vagus nerve, which belongs to the parasympathetic department. It is thanks to this that blood pressure decreases and the pulse slows down during this period.

If vagal activity decreases, this increases the sympathetic influence on the conduction system. Under the influence of stress hormones, the pulse and respiratory rate accelerate, cardiac output and blood pressure increase. Tachycardia, extrasystole and attacks of flickering or fibrillation occur, as a rule, against the background of sympathicotonia.

With increased tone of the parasympathetic system, patients are diagnosed with bradycardia and inhibition of the passage of impulses through the myocardium in the form of blockade of the atrioventricular node.

Diseases in which nocturnal forms of arrhythmia occur:

• neurosis, panic attack, depression;
• cardiopsychoneurosis;
• arterial hypertension with nocturnal increases in pressure;
• sleep apnea syndrome (stopping breathing during snoring);
• cardiac ischemia;
• diabetes;
• cardiomyopathy;
• disturbance of potassium and magnesium levels in the blood;
• thyroid diseases;
• nicotine and alcohol addiction;
• anemia;
• infections;
• intoxication, including drugs.

The most common cause of nocturnal arrhythmias is sleep apnea syndrome. It occurs when muscles are weak or the volume of the soft palate increases. This pathology is diagnosed mainly in men who are overweight, take sleeping pills or abuse alcohol.

Each episode of respiratory arrest signals the brain about danger, and stress hormones are released. This leads to an acceleration of the heart rate, and during apnea it slows down sharply. Such fluctuations in heart rate cause various forms of arrhythmia, angina attacks, and changes in blood pressure levels, which impair blood supply to the myocardium and brain.

We recommend reading the article about an attack of atrial fibrillation. From it you will learn about the symptoms of attacks, ways to restore sinus rhythm, and assistance at home. And here is more information about the causes and symptoms of atrial fibrillation.

Problems with the respiratory system

Sleep is necessary for a person to restore vitality and resources after working during the day. One of the unpleasant sleep disorders is stopping breathing when falling asleep. This can be caused by a malfunction in the respiratory system, in the central nervous system or in certain internal organs.

A person who wakes up from suffocation not only feels discomfort, he cannot fall asleep again for a long time due to the fear of a second attack, as a result of which, as it seems to him, he may die by suffocation.

Stopping breathing when falling asleep is characterized by the following main signs:

1. Feeling of tightness in the neck. Difficulty speaking.
2. Lump in the throat, impaired swallowing movements, inability to take a single breath.
3. Noticeable change in heart rate; this can be either an increase or a slowdown.
4. Feeling nauseous and dizzy.
5. Tingling in the limbs, their partial numbness.
6. Distortion of consciousness, change in perception.
7. Blue skin.
8. Frequently alternating chills or sweating.
9. Feelings of fear, causeless anxiety and panic.

At the stage of drowsiness, a person is partially conscious; he can be aware and physically feel the onset of an attack of asphyxia. The most dangerous thing is that, despite the awareness of the approaching attack, little can be done, since the body is already partially asleep.

As soon as the first symptoms of suffocation appear at the stage of falling asleep, it is necessary, using any effort, to wake up, get out of bed and call someone for help.

Knock in the heart at night

Some patients note that during the day they do not feel the work of the heart, but at night they hear its beat, which can be a sign of:

• physical fatigue;
• emotional overstrain;
• effects of caffeine, nicotine, alcohol;
• eating a large meal at dinner or right before bed;
• excitement, anxious thoughts.

The condition is not dangerous unless there is heart pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness or fainting. In such cases, it is usually enough to reduce daytime loads, change your diet, and give up bad habits, especially in the evenings.

You should definitely consult a doctor if you have the following symptoms:

• the attack lasts more than 5-7 minutes, does not go away in a state of complete rest;
• there are interruptions, failures in heart contractions, “turning over” in the chest;
• nausea and flushing of the face occurs;
• darkens in the eyes.

I can't sleep normally because of fear. What to do?

Veronica, good afternoon.

You write that you couldn’t fall asleep normally for several years because you were afraid of someone being in the room, you dealt with it, and now the symptom has returned. Despite your strong desire to sleep and lack of sleep, you still cannot relax and fall asleep.

Various types of sleep disorders (insomnia) are the mental response to emotional stress caused by anxiety and fear. You should work with them. Essentially, this can be called an emotional disorder, which over a long period of time could affect your endocrine system.

The most common and reliable method is a course of conversational psychotherapy, but it requires time and money, and you need to quickly restore sleep function, since lack of sleep will inevitably lead to a worsening of the condition - anxiety and tension will only increase.

I think you have already tried different methods of auto-training for relaxation - these are only local short-term methods. They are good, but they are not able to solve the problem as a whole.

Ideally, you need to approach solving the problem comprehensively:

- undergo examination by an endocrinologist

- consult a psychiatrist if there are no indications for treatment from the endocrinologist

well, as I already wrote above

— take a course of conversational psychotherapy in person or remotely via Skype to resolve those internal conflicts that cause anxiety, fear and tension.

In the title of the question you indicated that you are 18 years old. If this is not a mistake and your age is exactly that, then most likely we can assume a separation conflict. In other words, a deep unconscious reluctance to grow up and a simultaneous desire to become an adult and independent. Also, your condition is probably influenced by the behavior of family members, whether they support your independence or are overly protective of you, whether they accept your feelings or refuse to understand and listen to you.

High standards of success and fears of not meeting them create fertile ground for fear of independent life. At the same time, the tension from this does not allow one to relax and depresses the psyche precisely during the period when a person is left alone with himself - before going to bed. You try to avoid this tense moment by asking your loved ones to lie with you, but this approach will not solve the problem.

The situation is quite common among modern youth, since the lifestyle of independent living now has very high evaluation criteria, especially among residents of large cities.

If you're ready, get in touch. An initial consultation will show the depth and nature of your problem and allow you to develop a strategy for solving it. read about it on my website at the link https://psycholog-birykova.ru/chto-proiskhodit-na-pervichnoy-vstreche

All the necessary contacts are on my page.

I wish you clarity of thoughts and feelings, harmony with yourself and mutual understanding with loved ones.

I can't live a normal life because of my mother's alcoholism (2 answers)

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Night heartbeats in women

The causes of nighttime palpitations in women are often hormonal changes. This happens during menopause, pregnancy, and the use of contraceptives with hormones. Such attacks also occur as a reaction to medications, including those for high blood pressure, diuretics, and laxatives.

To normalize the rhythm, use:

• potassium and magnesium preparations - Panangin, Magne B6;
• improving metabolic processes in the myocardium - Mildronate, Kratal;
• calming – Persen, Fitosed.

Treatment in each specific case should be prescribed by a cardiologist after examination; self-medication is especially dangerous during pregnancy.

Symptoms of seizures during sleep

Changes in heart rate cause patients to feel palpitations, anxiety or sudden panic, discomfort or pain in the heart area, and difficulty breathing. Sudden awakenings and nightmares may be signs of heart rhythm problems. When extrasystole occurs, there may be tremors in the chest or “turning over” of the heart.

In the morning, patients experience typical manifestations of poor sleep quality:

• severe weakness, weakness;
• dizziness when getting out of bed;
• irritability;
• memory impairment;
• difficulty doing work that requires concentration.

These signs may be accompanied by pale skin, coldness of the extremities, blurred vision in the form of flashing dots before the eyes, and fainting due to ineffective cardiac output with serious heart rhythm disturbances.

Treatment for Anxiety Disorder

Feeling anxious in the morning is never the only mental ailment a person has. This is just a symptom of a general anxiety neurotic disorder.

Treatment of such psychoneurotic disorders always involves an integrated approach.

Medicines

Anxiety and neuroses are difficult to treat with medications. Since the main problem lies in the psyche and inner world of a person, medications are ineffective here. But they are very helpful in reducing anxiety, relieving symptoms, and improving physical and mental well-being.

If there is increased morning anxiety after sleep, the patient is prescribed:

• Sedatives (usually taken before bedtime).
• Sleeping pills (if there are serious sleep disorders).
• Tranquilizers (relieve feelings of anxiety, restlessness, irritation, fear).
• Nootropics (improves cerebral circulation, cognitive abilities and gives vigor).
• Antidepressants (increase mood, improve psycho-emotional state).
• Vitamins for the nervous system.

Online appointment with a doctor in any city in Russia

Depending on the patient’s condition, he is prescribed medications from several groups or from one. Today there is a fairly large selection of drugs in each group of medications. This or that drug is selected individually, based on the general condition of the patient and his characteristics.

The dosage, treatment regimen, and duration of medication are prescribed by the doctor.

Why nocturnal arrhythmia is combined with insomnia

Heart rhythm disturbances lead to the fact that the parts of the heart lose the ability to coordinate contractions, an insufficient amount of blood enters the ventricles, and its release into the arterial network decreases. When conduction slows down in the case of atrioventricular block or bradycardia, the cardiac output decreases.

Low blood flow, especially when combined with respiratory arrest, is recognized by the brain as a danger signal, which causes awakening from sleep. Shallow and intermittent sleep disrupts the functioning of the nervous and cardiac systems, leading to a vicious circle. Nocturnal arrhythmia and apnea are risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest.

Insomnia and rhythm disturbances can also be caused by taking tonic drinks, alcohol, coffee in the evening, stressful situations, overwork, hormonal imbalance, frequent night shifts, moving to an area with a different time zone.

How and what constantly prevents us from falling asleep when we have anxiety

Even when people have experienced fear once, it is not very easy for them to fall asleep at night - emotional arousal prevents them from relaxing.

When a person constantly experiences a feeling of anxiety, psychological and muscular tension is present in the background and insomnia appears.

Such a person either wakes up at night from an attack of panic or acute fear, when his heart is pounding and makes him sweat, or cannot fall asleep for a long time.

The cause of insomnia in an anxious person from the point of view of Chinese Medicine

Stress, as a result of which a person becomes anxious, affects the Liver Meridian. Since the Liver, from the point of view of CTM, is responsible for the muscles, tension first arises throughout the body in response to a stressful or frightening situation.

Let’s say you have a conflict at work with your boss; under threat of dismissal, you did not openly express your anger towards your boss. Suppressed anger has tensed the Liver channel and your body has tensed, holding the anger in the muscles.

A tense Liver (green circle) has a controlling influence (1) on the Spleen Meridian, which, according to the canons of Chinese Medicine, increases anxious or obsessive thoughts and anxiety intensifies, tension increases.

Causes of insomnia according to Chinese Medicine - how stress increases anxiety.

The tension of the Spleen (yellow circle) is transmitted (2) to the Kidney channel (black circle in the figure), anxiety is fixed in the body for a long time, since the Kidney channel is responsible for fear.

And finally, the Kidneys transmit tension through the system back to the Liver (3) - tension and anxiety increase many times over. The circle closes.

You ask, what does the Liver and insomnia have to do with it? The fact is that the activity of the Liver channel and the gallbladder meridian paired with it is maximum in the period from 11 to 3 am and this is precisely the period of time when an anxious person cannot fall asleep. What prevents him from falling asleep is tension in the body (Liver), obsessive thoughts (Spleen) and anxiety (Kidneys).

Conclusion: In order to fall asleep when you have anxiety at night, from the point of view of CTM, you need to break the circle of insomnia (see the figure above) at any of the points, and better yet, in all the meridians responsible for normal sleep, which is normally accompanied by relaxed muscles, calm thoughts and the absence of fear and irritation.

VIDEO: how to get rid of anxious and obsessive thoughts during insomnia

Watch a video about how to get rid of obsessive thoughts from my colleague Yulia Bondarchuk.

I’ll tell you right away that there are a great many methods of getting rid of them, I have the TRIO method, which allows you to take anxious thoughts under complete control, but read about it in the following articles.

How to relax a constantly tense body and fall asleep when anxious

Even if you are stressed, if you manage to let go of tension and relax, it will be much easier to fall asleep.

Most people are accustomed to relying on alcohol in this matter: they say that you take a glass or two of cognac and sleep, but this is not so, because vodka and alcohol weaken the liver, and we already know its role in the occurrence of insomnia, right?

In fact, there are greener and easier ways to relax your body muscles when falling asleep:

1. FIRST METHOD. Lie in the fetal position with your knees raised to your chin on your side. And tense all your muscles, holding your breath for a count from 1 to 7. Then sharply stretch across the bed into a starfish pose, throw back your head and take a deep breath. Exhale long and relax all your muscles.
2. SECOND METHOD . To relax the body, it is necessary to remove tension in the facial muscles responsible for stress - these are the eyeballs (fear) and the lower jaw (anger). We relax the eye muscles by rolling the eyeballs up and holding them tense until they themselves want to relax, that is, close. The lower jaw must be released down without opening the lips.

Of course, it would be nice for you to master signal relaxation, then you would know how to fall asleep with constant anxiety - this is when we combine the cycle of animal deep breathing with the formula of self-hypnosis - this method, by the way, is good at removing thoughts from your head, which has a positive effect on the process of falling asleep with anxiety. If you are interested in what this method is, ask questions in the comments to this article.

How to fall asleep with constant anxiety: what herbs help relieve insomnia

The answer to the question of what remedies to take to relieve insomnia due to stress and anxiety requires a couple more articles. I will give just a few available tools that every reader of this blog can purchase on how to get rid of VSD, fears and panic attacks.

• LAVENDER . You can buy an infusion of lavender herbs and flowers at flower shops or pharmacies. I prefer to use a few drops of Lavender essential oil on a paper napkin, which I place near the pillow of an insomniac. I recommend purchasing pure 100% natural Lavender oil produced in France or the USA. For example, I buy lavender essential oil on the online hypermarket site iHerb.
• HOP CONES. Dried hop cones sewn into a linen pillow and placed under the pillow work well for falling asleep. The essential fumes of hops simply make your head spin, relax the nervous system and a person falls peacefully asleep. You can prepare hop cones yourself (in August) or buy them at the pharmacy in the medicinal herbs section.
• XIAO YAO PILLS . Search the Internet for this herbal medicine of Chinese Medicine; here in Vladivostok, these pills can be purchased in Chinese pharmacies of the Lee West campaign. The pills relieve tension from the Liver and Kidney channel and very well remove anxiety and insomnia - canceling its very cause. Write to the author of the article to order Xiao Yao pills by mail.

I am sure that my tips on how to fall asleep when you are constantly anxious will help you cope with insomnia caused by stress on your own.

Is the condition so dangerous?

Nocturnal arrhythmia can transform into ventricular fibrillation and circulatory arrest, which is equivalent to the onset of clinical death. In patients with myocardial damage or heart defects, severe angina, pulmonary edema may develop during an attack.

When the conduction of cardiac impulses is completely blocked, the ejection of blood from the ventricles and blood pressure drop sharply; this is dangerous by stopping the nutrition of the brain and heart with irreversible consequences.

Atrial fibrillation, the risk of which increases with sleep apnea syndrome, often causes blood clots to form in the heart and travel through the arterial network. Thromboembolism of the brain results in a stroke, and blockage of the coronary arteries of the heart causes a heart attack.

Diagnosis of the condition

To identify nocturnal arrhythmia, the most informative method is 24-hour Holter monitoring. This technique allows you to record an attack of rhythm disturbance and the changes in the myocardium that it causes.

In addition, patients are advised to study basic hemodynamic parameters to assess the effect of arrhythmia on systemic circulation. For this use:

• transesophageal electrical stimulation to determine hidden forms of arrhythmia, conduction disturbances under the influence of a stimulus;
• Ultrasound of the heart helps to study the structure of chambers, valves, and evaluate intracardiac circulation;
• blood tests for cholesterol, glucose, coagulation activity;
• The tilt test determines rhythm disturbances when changing from a horizontal to a vertical position.

Watch the video about the causes of arrhythmia at night and its treatment:

Treatment of arrhythmia at night

To effectively get rid of nocturnal cardiac arrhythmias, it is necessary to eliminate apnea syndrome, increased blood pressure, get rid of neurosis, cardiological and endocrine pathologies.

Patients are recommended to walk before bed, limit watching TV and using electronic gadgets in the evening, and exclude spicy, salty foods, caffeinated drinks and alcohol from the diet.

If you snore, you need to consult an otolaryngologist and use special devices and sleep masks. To alleviate the condition, antiarrhythmic drugs (Aimalin, Isoptin, Lidocaine, Cordarone) and sedatives (Alora, Novo-passit, Persen) can also be prescribed.

If rhythm disturbance occurs against the background of diseases of the digestive system, then relief of its manifestations is achieved by restoring the normal functioning of the stomach, gallbladder and intestines; if vagotonia is detected, Isadrin or Atropine is used.

The lack of effect of drug therapy may be a reason for radiofrequency ablation, installation of a pacemaker or defibrillator.

Fraza.ua - the author's view of life

Stress, anxiety and insomnia are what accompanies the busy life of a modern person. How to say goodbye to such companions? How to scare them away? How to achieve harmony with yourself and sleep? All these questions are answered professionally by Natalya Pavuk, a neurologist of the highest category at the Into-Sana clinic.

How much sleep does a person need to be healthy and energetic?

Sleep is our physiological need, and the duration of sleep depends on age. Babies sleep 17-18 hours. Older children sleep 10-12 hours. And this should be 10-12 hours of continuous sleep. Teenagers sleep less—up to 10 hours. People around our age already need 7-8 hours of sleep, sometimes up to 9, and older people need even less.

Is it true that it is better to sleep 6 hours than eight? Supposedly, the duration of sleep should be a multiple of three.

This theory has already been revised. Now they believe that you need to sleep as much time as prescribed by age standards. It's good if less sleep does not interfere with our daily functioning. Daytime naps are no longer recommended.

What time is best to fall asleep and wake up?

It is better to go to bed earlier, in the first half of the night, optimally before 23.00, this is due to the production of the sleep hormone - melatonin. And, accordingly, it is better to wake up at five or six in the morning. Then the person will be more cheerful.

The child can be put to bed earlier, depending on his needs. There are children who fall asleep even at eight in the evening.

Is systemic insomnia normal? That is, for a certain period of time a person cannot sleep, and then sleep is restored on its own.

Normal is episodic insomnia, situational, when we changed the time zone or we had a stressful situation, or an important meeting, and we worry and worry. If insomnia is systemic, it is a sign of a disease either of a somatic nature or of the endocrine system. And often the cause of insomnia is an anxiety or depressive disorder.

How do you know when you need to see a neurologist?

In general, there are several types of violations. This is difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings at night and a reduction in the need for sleep when a person wakes up earlier, even before the alarm clock. If such disturbances occur within one or two weeks, you should seek help because there may be something else behind it.

Are there any techniques for healthy sleep?

Techniques that ensure healthy sleep include sleep hygiene itself. That is, before going to bed, walking in the fresh air, a warm shower or bath are recommended; there are people who love aromatherapy. It is recommended to listen to relaxation music - either classical or jazz, preferably quiet. You can read a light book that doesn’t force your brain to work actively. Also, don't go to bed hungry, but don't overeat either.

It is better to have dinner three hours before bedtime. You can drink soothing mint tea.

The room temperature is recommended from 20 to 24 degrees. Although there are people who are comfortable sleeping at 18-19 degrees.

You can probably also practice yoga breathing exercises...

Of course, breathing practices are mandatory. Breathing helps calm the body. Sometimes 3-5 minutes of breathing exercises are enough to fall asleep. And in general, before going to bed, we should slow down the rhythm of our lives, do everything much more slowly.

What can you say, for example, about watching a movie before bed?

Very important question. The first thing we should do before going to bed is turn off the TV, exit all social networks, stop using our gadgets and phones. Their blue or cyan radiation activates our brain.

Is it beneficial for children to sleep with light in this case? It is undeniable when the light is on not in the bedroom, but, for example, in the hall.

This is a problem for sleep because light is a process that activates us. We see the light, which means we need to get up, go to work, take a walk, do something. Therefore, it is recommended to sleep in a dark room.

What are the stages of sleep?

There are several phases of sleep. The phases that are of the greatest interest and importance to us are the short sleep phase, or remphase, in this phase we dream and can move. How to understand that a person is in a short sleep phase? Active movements of the eyeballs are observed. Another phase is the phase of deep sleep, where we do not dream, where there is only sleep, and our body does not move. If an alarm clock goes off during the active phase of sleep, a person wakes up refreshed.

Insomnia is mainly associated with anxiety, which prevents you from falling asleep. What are the symptoms of systemic anxiety?

An extreme manifestation of systemic anxiety is a panic attack, when a person experiences palpitations, anxiety, fear of death, fear of being in an unknown place with unknown people. This is really scary for a person; she gets lost and doesn’t know what to do. This is a very common reason for visits to doctors and registration of incapacity for work.

What should be done in such cases to get rid of this condition? Is there some kind of magic pill?

If we experience anxiety, we can regulate it ourselves. First of all, relax and, again, breathe deeply. Deep breathing signals that our body produces less adrenaline. When this anxiety occurs, we can imagine a “button”—on/off—and instruct ourselves to send a signal to our adrenal glands to stop secreting adrenaline. People should also understand that this condition is not life-threatening, it is short-term, it passes, it is episodic - and turn all their negative thoughts into a positive direction. I am a healthy person, this will all pass. If a person still has fears, he should definitely undergo a preventive examination; if there are complaints about the functioning of the heart - shortness of breath, palpitations - consult a therapist or cardiologist. If there is a feeling of tremor in the body, a lump in the throat, you should also consult a therapist or endocrinologist, or neurologist.

Does alcohol help with such conditions?

Alcohol helps us relax. It does not treat sleep disorders or anxiety. This is a temporary reaction - the body relaxes. If we abuse alcohol or simply take it for a long time, we can relax and relieve anxiety, but then the condition may worsen. Therefore, you should not treat these conditions with alcohol.

About ten years ago, a diagnosis such as vegetative-vascular dystonia was popular. And now they claim that there is no such disease. What is there?

There really is no such disease. The diagnosis of “vegetative-vascular dystonia” often masks endocrine system disorders, disorders associated with depressive and anxiety states, somatoform and somatization disorders.

With all this you need to go to a therapist. And he will already prescribe examinations, identify the cause, and refer you to the appropriate specialists. And these conditions can be corrected.

Antidepressants? Can I prescribe these medications for myself?

Self-medication is definitely not worth it. Antidepressants should be prescribed by a doctor who understands this and can choose the right antidepressants, in particular the correct dose and duration of use.

How to protect yourself from poor sleep and systemic anxiety?

Set up a daily routine. The day, if it’s a work day, we plan: we wake up in the morning, do all the procedures, exercise, and go to work. We differentiate between work issues and family matters. Next, I recommend active leisure, planning for the next day, meeting with friends, communicating. It is important to choose a positive environment that will pull us up. And all this will help.

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When does tachycardia occur and how to relieve it?

Depending on the time of occurrence (at night, in the morning, at rest), tachycardia (frequent heartbeat) may have different reasons for its occurrence. Therefore, approaches to treating palpitations differ.

Tachycardia at night and when falling asleep

Tachycardia at night, when falling asleep, occurs due to disruption of the autonomic nervous system. At night, the tone of the vagus nerve should normally increase. It relaxes blood vessels and slows down the heart rate.

If the patient takes drugs to reduce its activity (bronchodilators or for abdominal pain), then the frequency of heart contractions and their strength increase. Provoking factors also include:

• stress;
• night apnea (stopping breathing, snoring);
• decreased blood flow to the brain due to osteochondrosis;
• smoking, drinking alcohol;
• vasoconstrictor nasal drops.

To reduce heartbeat, it is recommended to drink a glass of water at room temperature, lightly press on the eyeballs, counting to 10, and then alternately on the projection of the carotid artery on the right and left (where the pulsation is felt). These techniques increase the tone of the vagus nerve, and the heartbeat calms down.

Tachycardia in the morning after waking up

Immediately after waking up, severe tachycardia can be caused by:

• vegetative-vascular dystonia (panic attack - an attack of causeless anxiety);
• increased thyroid function;
• a drop in blood pressure when suddenly rising from bed, then tachycardia is usually combined with severe weakness;
• insomnia at night.

Since some of these causes of morning palpitations require special treatment, if you experience frequent attacks, you should definitely visit a cardiologist. If all the examination results are normal, then a mixture of equal parts of tinctures of valerian, peony and mint, hawthorn will help to cope with tachycardia in the morning. If there is a tendency to increase blood pressure, motherwort is added to them. Add 15-20 drops to a third of a glass of water and take 3 times a day before meals and before bed.

Rapid heartbeat during sleep

A rapid heartbeat during sleep is a sign of daytime stress; the brain processes daytime information at night. It is also provoked by violations of the regime, watching movies at night, drinking coffee, strong tea and energy drinks. Normalizing your lifestyle and taking herbal sedatives before bed will help you cope with your frequent rhythm: Corvalol Phyto, Fitorelax, Persen night.

Also, the body often reacts to episodes of respiratory arrest during apnea as if it were a stressful situation. In the latter case, treatment by an ENT doctor is necessary, since this pathology has a very bad effect on the functioning of the heart and brain.

Sudden palpitations at rest

A sudden attack of palpitations at rest or at night can be caused not only by physiological reasons (overwork, anxiety, worries), but also by diseases of the heart muscle. Therefore, it is important to undergo an examination, especially if, in addition to attacks of rapid heartbeat, there are:

• dizziness;
• feeling of heart constriction;
• weakness in arm, leg;
• slurred speech;
• hot flash;
• nausea;
• copious urination after normalization of the pulse.

These symptoms occur with paroxysmal tachycardia. It refers to a dangerous rhythm disorder.

Expert opinion

Alena Ariko

Expert in Cardiology

In some cases, the Valsalva maneuver helps relieve an attack - the nose is pinched with your fingers for a few seconds, the mouth is closed, and you have to forcefully try to exhale the air. This increases abdominal pressure, which activates the vagus nerve and slows the heart rate.

Main causes of suffocation

Various diseases and disorders can cause respiratory center disorders. However, there are two factors that are the most common causes of choking while falling asleep. These are obstructive sleep apnea and hyperventilation syndrome (HVS). Let's look at them in more detail to understand what processes in the body trigger a failure in the supply of oxygen.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA)

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway muscles relax too much and the space between them becomes critically narrow or closes altogether.

Various factors can lead to this disease:

• alcohol abuse and smoking;
• overweight;
• physiological features of the structure of the respiratory tract;
• deviated nasal septum;
• menopause in women;
• advanced age;
• diabetes;
• frequent use of sedatives and sleeping pills.

OSA manifests itself mainly at night, when muscles involuntarily lose their tone, but it can also disturb during periods of shallow sleep. Holding your breath lasts from a few seconds to 3 minutes or more.

When there is very little oxygen in the blood, the brain turns on a protective reaction - awakening. After the respiratory function has been restored, instability is observed for some time, inhalations and exhalations are chaotic and uneven.

Apnea must be treated with medications, hardware therapy or surgery; if the problem is left to chance, it can result in death from asphyxia.

Hyperventilation syndrome (HVS)

Hyperventilation syndrome is the most common form of vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD). Most often, HVS develops against the background of a panic attack or anxiety disorder.

The appearance of suffocation is closely related to psychological problems, since breathing is the only body function that is controlled by both the somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

Failures are accompanied by the following additional symptoms:

• chills and sweating;
• chest pain;
• nausea and dizziness;
• rejection of the reality of the surrounding world;
• fear of dying;
• fear of going crazy;
• sudden changes in sensations of hot and cold.

The causes and treatment of HVS can only be determined by a psychiatrist. It is typical that patients suffering from the disorder do not experience any deviations in physical health from the norm. Their attacks of suffocation most often occur against the background of severe stress, but over time they can occur without obvious help.

To cope with breathing problems, panic attacks and causeless anxiety, you need to do serious work on yourself, and it will be difficult to do without a specialist.