Can Sleep Apnea Cause Death

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Need "real" Doctors to ask my Question on Sleep Apnea. Can Sleep Apnea cause death?

   • ANSWER:
     I'm not a real doctor, but I have some experience with sleep apnea.

     There are people who die because of their sleep apnea. And the "real" doctors can confirm what I said. Some of them died in sleep, but the majority died these causes:

     - cardiovascular disease.

     - workplace and automobile accidents

     - congestive heart failure during sleep

     - fatal arrhythmia

     - stroke

     - long pauses of breathing in sleep, or cessation of breathing

     In general, the death from sleep apnea may appear in case you don't treat yourself for a long period of time. Many people know that, untreated, sleep apnea can be progressive, worsening in time, until it presents a real threat to life.

     However, I think it's difficult to tell if sleep apnea itself is fatal, but the effect it has in cardiovascular system contributes to increased mortality. Don't you think?

     Not to mention that people with sleep apnea may develop diabetes, high blood pressure with stroke. And many of them die from car accident, too (because they are drowsy at the wheel)

2. QUESTION:
   Can bad dreams actually cause sleep apnea and even death?
   Or insomnia, anyway?

   • ANSWER:

3. QUESTION:
   Can Sleep Apnea cause SUDDEN DEATH!?
   Im doing a project and someone said it did an im just double checking

   • ANSWER:
     In short, YES. Some people have it for years and do not know and pass it off. They end up dying in their sleep. SA does cause heart problems mainly because the heart and blood are not getting enough oxygen.

4. QUESTION:
   Anybody have Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or know someone who has it?
   Today I found out from my respirologist's office that I have severe Sleep Apnea. I had a polysomnogram done a couple of weeks ago at the hospital, which is how my diagnosis was confirmed. I have been WAAAY more tired than usual for the past few weeks......sometimes even falling asleep just while sitting on the toilet going pee (sorry if that's T.M.I.) Anyway now I am scared to go to sleep because I'm worried that I might have a bad episode and not even wake up. I know that having Sleep Apnea can cause death in the most severe cases. My specialist's office has moved up my appointment from next week to tomorrow so that he can talk to me about this and also to get things going for me to get onto CPAP treatment. But just for tonight, does anybody have any words of warning, (or words of comfort even) for me? Does anyone know of anyone ever dying from sleep apnea?

   • ANSWER:
     I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea. When I went to a specialist, he told me what you already know...the possibility of dying from sleep apnea is extremely rare. Your body is just too smart. Basically, the reason you're so tired all the time is because when you stop breathing, your body "wakes up" just enough to force you to change position or do something to start breathing again. This pulls you out of the much-needed deep phase of sleep, and if it happens frequently throughout the night, your quality of sleep is poor and you'll be tired the next day.

     I did two sleep studies, and the second one was with a CPAP machine. I hated that thing...besides making me sound like Darth Vader, it was way too uncomfortable, and the forced airflow gave me a sore throat. As it turned out, my quality of sleep was worse with the CPAP anyway, and so the doctor didn't prescribe it for me. However, one important result of my studies that you might want to consider: When I slept on my back, I stopped breathing almost TEN TIMES as often as when I slept on my side! So you might want to try sleeping on your left side when you go to bed and see if that improves your quality of sleep.

     The other option to a CPAP is a surgical procedure to remove any obstruction(s) that are causing the sleep apnea. I've opted not to do that for now...at 37 I have no desire to have throat surgery! But if my wife gets too fed up with my snoring, I'll probably bite the bullet and do it for her.

5. QUESTION:
   Please help! I have questions about Sleep Apnea.......I'm scared to go to sleep.....?
   Today I found out from my respirologist's office that I have severe Sleep Apnea. I had a polysomnogram done a couple of weeks ago at the hospital, which is how my diagnosis was confirmed. I have been WAAAY more tired than usual for the past few weeks......sometimes even falling asleep just while sitting on the toilet going pee (sorry if that's T.M.I.) Anyway now I am scared to go to sleep because I'm worried that I might have a bad episode and not even wake up. I know that having Sleep Apnea can cause death in the most severe cases. My specialist's office has moved up my appointment from next week to tomorrow so that he can talk to me about this and also to get things going for me to get onto CPAP treatment. But just for tonight, does anybody have any words of warning, (or words of comfort even) for me? Does anyone know of anyone ever dying from sleep apnea?

   • ANSWER:
     The body has a built-in mechanism that protects the individual from going for far too long without oxygen, especially when asleep.

     Once the body detects low oxygen, it makes the individual gasp for breath.

     You will be able to survive tonight if you sleep. It is better to sleep tonight than to fall asleep while something is being discussed by the specialist tomorrow.

6. QUESTION:
   Will sleep apnea cause my husband to be discharged from the army?
   He has not been diagnosed but over the past year his snoring has gotten worse and worse. Nothing seems to help it. Sleep apnea never even crossed my mind but I read an article called "are you snoring yourself to death?" (I even think it was on Yahoo) and it was about sleep apnea. I thought he was waking himself up snoring but after researching I now know it's his breathing stopping and then him gasping the air back in, making the loud snoring noise I thought was waking him up. He's been in for a little over a year and it has just gotten worse and worse. I feel horrible because he has huge black circles under his eyes and he's just so beat down all the time. He gets up so early and we're at an infantry division so he's doing a lot of physical activity, plus getting off late almost every day. He's a 35N, do you think something like sleep apnea would keep him from doing his job? We aren't noticing any other problems besides him being so very tired every day no matter how long he sleeps. He refuses to see a doctor because he doesn't want to be discharged. I've read conflicting stories about this. I can't convince him to see a doctor because he's worried if it's even mentioned in his medical files they will kick him out. He is actually still on profile from having rhabdomyolysis due to being overworked at PT. So that just makes it worse considering even that can get you medically discharged. I'm worried about his health. Any advice appreciated. Thanks
   i know it's serious and that's why i am so worried. what if he stopped breathing for too long? it makes me want to stay up all night and watch him. i'm buying the chin strap thing for him that's supposed to help.
   also i know he'd get disability, but i've heard it's only 50%.

   • ANSWER:
     Seeking treatment would be his best course of action. Several Active Duty members do receive treatment for this particular condition, I have not heard of a "medical Discharge" in regards to it, but I have seen it affect future duty station (especially overseas locations). Disability is not a "flat" amount, there is a min and max guideline, he needs to get to the Doc and get it documented so that it is not called into question when he does decide to his time to retire/separate.
     Much Luck - my husband was so closer to having a sleep test done, but on some fluke was sent to a chiropractor, and wow - - we are both sleeping better - - I know sounds weird... but it worked!

7. QUESTION:
   i have GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) and i fear about sleep apnea and death?
   for 15 years i have suffered from depression and now i am suffering from generalized anxiety disorder and go threw my day 2 day life with fear, worry, aggitation and nervousness!, i worry about my health alot especially my heart but i have been checked out and there is nothing wrong with my heart but i worry all the time about death and when i heard about sleep apnea, i began to think that i have it cause of the symptoms like feeling tired during the day and can't concentrate properly as i can't sleep at night thinking and worrying about death, and i worry about that if i sleep i might not wake up but i have read what sleep apnea does during my sleep, like gasping for breath during the night or snoring loudly but i never have problems like gasping for breath, i sleep pretty well but only wake up if i have bad dreams and sometimes have hallucinations, this has been happening for over 6 months now and i feel tired all the time and i keep thinking that i have sleep apnea disorder but i don't wake up during the night gasping for breath and my friends tell me that i talk in my sleep but never said i snore loudly, so what could this be, is it my worry with anxiety?, could someone have the answer to this please!

   • ANSWER:
     Its better if you consult a doctor..tell him about your fear, anxiety and about your depression. Use this link and read about the syndromes of sleep apnea
     know more, click here
     Stop worrying much it is not good for health. Engage yourself in activities at least it will keep you away from depression.

8. QUESTION:
   Is Severe Sleep Apnea classed as a Disability ?
   I was diagnosed with Severe Sleep Apnea last year, after years of feelling tired all the time, no matter how much sleep i had.
   I am recieving treatment from the Sleep Clinic at the hospital, i have to use a CPAP machine at night, which helps to keep my airways open, so that i can breathe properly.
   If i dont use the machine, i am absolutely shattered all day.
   As i have Severe sleep apnea, ive been told at the hospital that i must continue with CPAP indefinately, as sleep apnea can cause heart attack whilest asleep, or death from stopping breathing.
   Apparently i stop breathing up to 300 times a night !!! ;(
   When i wake up after using CPAP, it takes a good 3/4 hours to properly feel alert, and still feel tired, and often forgetful and not very good co-ordination.
   I am currently recieving Employment Support Allowance, for Mental Health problems, and i wondered whether i need to inform DWP of my latest condition, Sleep Apnea, as im currently in the WRAG Group not the Support Group ??
   Thankyou.
   I was told at the Sleep Clinic at the Hospital, that i have Severe Sleep Apnea, and that it is Serious !!
   If you dont use your CPAP machine at night, you may have a heart attack and not wake up.
   That sounds serious to me !!
   Your parents may have mild/moderate sleep apnea, but at whatever level, it is serious, i dont use a CPAP for fun !!
   This answer is for the person who thinks its not an issue ? ? ?
   YEAYEASH
   FOXY Thankyou very much that info is a great help, much appreciated.
   THANKYOU WILLIAM . W MUCH APPRECIATED ADVICE.

   • ANSWER:
     I listened to a radio show about this, and I'm no expert. But if it's not controlled, then it can become a very big issue, especially if you drive a vehicle. There was a lorry driver that killed someone when driving his truck when he went to sleep at the wheel and drove into the back of a car. He was later diagnosed with sleep apnoea, and riddled with grief, he came onto the radio show to explain how he got around the lack of proper REM' sleep that caused the fatal crash. I think he was now wearing that simple device you mentioned in order to assist his sleep, and he has returned to driving his truck, but also spends much of his time explaining to others about the importance of controlling sleep apnoea.
     I don't know if I would class it as a disability or not because I'm no expert, but certainly it will cause you a disadvantage against someone that gets a normal good night's kip, so I do sympathise, but I would have thought that the NHS would be able to give you full backing and any advice needed.

     Here's a link I found from the British Sleep Apnoea Association. Maybe if you put yourself in touch with them and join their forum, you may be able to get a more informed answer than many on here with give you. I hope that might help you.

     http://www.britishsnoring.co.uk/phpBB2/index.php

9. QUESTION:
   Could Heath Ledger have died from Sleep Apnea? What do you think?
   I noticed with each article I have read that Heath Ledger's care taker noticed he was "Snoring" when she went by his room.

   I have to wonder if the sleep medication he was taking could have caused an episode such as sleep apnea and have ultimately caused his death?

   I know it may sound silly but Ambien can really knock you out and he may have mistakenly overdosed - which is easy to do with Ambien.
   I also have to wonder if they were prescribed to him directly?

   I still wonder if it can put someone into a state of sleep apnea too?

   What do you think?
   I am definitely not disagreeing with the idea of an overdose, but I use to have sleep apnea and once my medications stopped - the apnea stopped.

   Guess we will have to wait...
   He will be missed.

   • ANSWER:
     I think you're grasping at straws to avoid the truth - that he died of a drug overdose.

10. QUESTION:
    Why am I dreaming about my heart arrhythmia?
    I know that I should see a doctor for an official diagnosis and that Yahoo! Answers is not a credible method of determining something like this, but I already have an appointment scheduled for next week and am concerned in the meantime, so this couldn't hurt.

    I have a heart murmur as well as some form of arrhythmia where my heart will skip beats throughout the day. I've had this condition since I was young, and after extensive tests by doctors over the years, have been told repeatedly that the murmur is benign and nothing to worry about. However, over the past few months, I have been occasionally waking up gasping for air, coughing, and choking on my saliva as though I've just inhaled saliva into my lungs. In addition to this, occurring about just as frequently but on separate nights, I will wake up after having dreamt that I have had an extremely bad case of my heart skipping beats. Since these are just dreams, I normally would not be concerned, but the nature of these dreams reminds me of a specific kind where a previous dream is interrupted by a new dream about something occurring in or near my room.

    For example, if I really have to urinate and am in REM sleep, my dream will be interrupted by another dream about me waking up and running to the bathroom to urinate, even though I am still dreaming. These "heart skipping a beat" dreams are very similar to this, especially since I always dream that I'm still in my bed and have just woken up as this is happening. There is often a sense of impending death, and the beat skipping is far faster, heavier, or "harder" than it usually is during the day.

    For instance, the last time I slept, I had a dream about waking up in my bed to find that my heart had almost stopped completely, with occasional rapid, "hard" beats. I then REALLY woke up to find myself lying on the left side of my chest where my heart is. Usually, however, the dream involves an incredibly fast heart rate (I'm guessing 250+ bpm) along with skipped beats, a sense of being about to die, and then I wake up on my back as opposed to on my side. I also wake up on my back on the nights where I'm gasping for air and coughing.

    As I understand it, sleep apnea may cause the gasping for air in the middle of the night. Doing some of my own research, I've also found that otherwise benign arrhythmias can cause sudden death during REM sleep for people who have sleep apnea. As both the gasping for air phenomenon and my arrhythmia dreams seem to be increasing in frequency, how likely is it that I could die in my sleep soon from cardiac arrest?

    Thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      I really don't know, however it sounds like you over-worry about it, like for example there is days I work 9 hours shifts, and I go to sleep and I dream that I'm still working, I stress to much about work that the same stress follows me into my dreams (or nightmares) so I can rely this experience to your experience, maybe don't worry too much about this until the doctor actually tells you whether to worry or not, think about it.

11. QUESTION:
    What can I do about not being able to sleep?
    First of all, I do have sleep apnea, if you're not aware of what that is, then read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_apnea and then to make it worse, I have insomnia, which is caused by sleep apnea in my case.

    Normally I only get about 2-3 hours of sleep a day, or 4 if I'm lucky. What sucks about this is that I fall asleep between the hours of 2 A.M. and 6 A.M. and I have to wake up @ 7 in the morning to get ready for school by 8, then after that I have to work a 7 hour shift at mcdonalds and be out at 11 and then i go home and stare at the ceiling and try anything i can to sleep. and the cycle continues.

    The thing is, I don't take medication for it because I feel like I'm already on too much medication (allergies, migraine meds, anti-anxiety, etc), and I don't want to become addicted to any sleeping meds.

    I just don't know what to do anymore because it's not only affecting me, it's affecting my mother and my schoolwork/performance, and this is the most important year of my educational life, my senior year of high school.

    In addition, I don't know if this has anything to do with, like sub-consciously, but my dad died three years ago, and in the month leading up to this death, I could never sleep well at all, the same way I am now, but the night he passed away, I had never slept so great in my entire life. And I think I might still have some weird feeling about sleep being connected with bad things that might happen that i could've helped prevent. I don't know though.

    Any suggestions besides medication?

    Thanks in advance!
    I said specifically, I don't want to use medication. I've used it in the past and it's done nothing for me. And I also don't want to take the risk of getting addicted.
    I have had two sleep study tests done, one without the CPAP mask, and one a few months later with it.

    And I do have the choice, well did have the choice of using it, but I also could not handle sleeping with it. So, that's another difficulty right there.

    • ANSWER:
      I'm sorry you can't sleep. I had insomnia for a few years and it really can make you feel like you're going insane. Some people can handle three or four hours of sleep while others need up to eight.

      If all of the medicines you are taking are prescription then it might not be the best idea to nock some of them off the "in use". Ie, you could probably safely get rid of your allergy meds and buy over the counter sleeping pills to use every so often. (Be careful, these too can be addicting). That's how I solved my sleeping problem.

      Another option could really be to get real sleeping pills and, despite the addiction, it's better then getting no sleep at such a crucial time in your life. If you do wind up addicted, then talk to your doctor when you think you are ready to be weaned off of them and he/she will give you excellent advise as well as a semi-program and less dosages.

      As for the possibility of it being a phsycological misconception of your mind, it very well could be. Many people, subconciously mind you, have sleeping disorders like insomnia because of previous tramautic situations. The only way to know for certain is to have your sleeping patterns tested by someone authorized to do so. But of course, this is assuming you have health insurance and the time to have regular visits with said scientist for a few weeks or more.

      At this point, I would talk to a doctor. Even just calling and asking a nurse about the possibility of using over the counter sleeping meds combined with all of your others will be incredibly helpful.

12. QUESTION:
    What do you think this is? sleep apnea?
    So this is kind of long but I am wondering what is going on w/me.In the mornings when I wake up and then start to fall back asleep,I start to fade back to sleep and it feels like someone is sticking a vibrator on my head and turning it on full blast.I then am kind of half asleep and I tell myself I need to breathe,and it feels like I am not breathing cause my chest hurts and it feels like someone is choking the life out of me.I almost have to try and force myself to wake up and sometimes I can't wake up but at the same time I feel like I'm not breathing.
    I end up waking up and gasping for air,scared to death and my heart is pounding very hard.
    I was concerned that it might be epilepsy but I don't shake all over.It's more like a panic attack feeling and I am aware in my mind that I am not breathing and that my head feels like your limb feels when it falls asleep,it feels like it's vibrating.I'm aware it's happening but I can't seem to wake up enough to stop it and the moment I wake up,the vibrating feeling,gasping for air,all of that stops but if I don't wake up good enough it starts over again as I fall back to sleep.
    I'm worried what this might be,as I'm afraid now to fall asleep.any ideas? it seems to only happen when I sleep on my back...
    I have to also add,I know it's happening in my mind cause I keep telling myself wake up,you are not breathing,this morning I was trying to mouth the words like,help,I can't breathe.I know I need to see a doctor but without insurance,right now I just want an idea of what it could be.I've had ekg's and been tested for any mental conditions like bi-polar,skitzo etc etc and I don't have any kind of mental condition.so I'm concerned this could be sleep apnea? No matter how many hours I sleep,I wake up very very tired and a lot of times my bed is torn apart when I wake up.I also have very strange and vivid dreams.thanks for your time.
    and I sleep and live alone so I can't have anyone tell me if I thrash around or talk in my sleep or what I do during sleep.I can only explain what I feel happens to me.

    • ANSWER:
      Are you a smoker? my ex was and had the same symptom's not getting enough oxygen sound sleep was interrupted and dreams were more vividly remembered he had some crazy ones also try sleeping with a fan and see if it helps if it dose see a doctor about getting a oxygen mask at first it was uncomfortable but he got used to it and slept like a baby.Even if you are not and snore heavy your air passage could be closing.My sister even had a small air conditioner on and her kids were miffed because it was winter.If that dose not work let me come over and I will watch you sleep(don't tell Angela)

13. QUESTION:
    Wrestling death list?
    This is my report of the
    so called death list of the wrestlers
    who've died before their 50th birthday

    the fist row is the year they died

    second row is the promotion they worked

    (indi= indipendent)
    (n/a= they were out of the business when they died)

    Third row
    cause of death

    Fourth row
    name of wrestler

    How or why they died

    Can anybody tell me why is
    the wwe taking the heat for
    deaths that happen in the 80 in wccw?

    2000 - uxw - heart attack - Gary Albright - diatbetes coronary arteries
    2000 - wcw - overdose - Bobby Duncum Jr - accidental
    2000 - indi- heart attck - Yokozuna - natural
    2000 - indi- complications - Jumbo Tsuruta - kindney transplant

    2001 - n/a - blood clot - Terry Gordy - heart attack
    2001 - n/a - ghb overdose - Chris Adams - overdose
    2001 - n/a - heart attack - Mike Davis -
    2001 - n/a - overdose - Bertha Faye - drugs

    2002 - indi- heart attack - Rocco Rock -
    2002 - n/a - kidney failure - Big Dick Dudley -
    2002 - n/a - cancer - Randy Anderson -
    2002 - n/a - hearth attack - Davey Boy Smith - steriods

    2003 - wwf - suicide - Crash Holly - ingested 90 pills
    2003 - n/a - overdose - Pitbull #2 - homemade oxycotin
    2003 - tna - heart attack - The Wall - sudden
    2003 - n/a - overdose -Ms Elizabeth - lex luger
    2003 - n/a - heart attack - Hawk - abuse
    2003 - indi- cocaine od - Curt Hennig - cocaine

    2004 - wwf - breast cancer - Marianna Komlos -
    2004 - n/a - heart attack - Big Boss Man - massive
    2004 - n/a - heart attack - Hercules - sleep

    2005 - tna - blood clot - Chris Candido - flight altitude
    2005 - wwf - heart faliure - Eddie Guerrero - disease

    2006 - n/a - sleep apnea - Johnny Grunge - sleep
    2006 - n/a - cancer - Earthquake - bladder

    2007 - n/a - heart faliure - John Kronus - enlarged heart
    2007 - wwf - suicide - Chris Benoit - murder/suicide
    2007 - n/a - suicide - Mike Awesome - hung
    2007 - n/a - stroke - Biff Well - heart attack
    2007 - n/a - unknown - brian adman - not known
    2007 - n/a - murdered - Nancy Benoit - chris benoit
    2007 - n/a - overdose - scot Bigelow - cocaine
    2007 - n/a - unknown - sherrie martel

    1990 - n/a - suicide - Ed Gatner

    1991 - wccw- suicide - Chris Von Erich - shot hiself
    1991 - n/a - car crash - Vivian Vachon - accident
    1992 - indi- heart attack - Buzz Sawyer

    1993 - wcw - suicide - Kerry Von Erich
    1993 - wcw - heart attack - Andre Giant - after fathers funeral
    1993 - wwf - accident - - D.J.Peterson - bike crash
    1993 - n/a - murdered - Dino Bravo - gang hit

    1994 - wwf - car crash - Joey Marella - fell asleep
    1994 - aaa - aneurysm - Art Barr -
    1994 - n/a - unknown - Ray Candy -

    1995 - n/a - liver cancer - John Studd - liver cancer
    1995 - n/a - heart attack - Eddie Gilber - overdose
    1996 - indi- heart attack - Dick Murdoch - heart attack

    1997 - wwf - heart disease - Brian Pillman - arteriosclerotic
    1997 - wcw - heart failure - Jeep Swenson -

    1998 - wcw - suicide
    1998 - wcw - car crash - Brady Boone -
    1998 - n/a - car carsh - Junkyard Dog - drunk driver

    1999 - wcw - suicide - The Renegade - depression
    1999 - wwf - fell 78 feet - Owen Hart - blunt trama
    1999 - wcw - cancer - Mark Curtis - stomach
    1999 - wcw - heart attack - Rick Rude -

    1985 - wwf - heart attack - Rick McGraw -
    1985 - awa - heart attack - Jay Youngblood - ruptured spleen
    1986 - wccw- overdose - Gino Hernandez - cocaine
    1987 - wccw - suicide - Mike Von Erich - overdosing/tranquilizer
    1988 - awa - car crash - Adrian Adonis - swerved/moose
    1988 - indi- murdered - Bruiser Brody - by fellow wrestler

    • ANSWER:
      Wow, so many legends, such a tragedy. You should be commended for composing such a list as it must have took some time to do. I for one would like to thank you because some of these are news to me. Good job, starred, most def.
      Your question- you know how the media is. They find something they want to attack(i.e pro wrestling) and wait....wait for one opportunity to strike and the Benoit was that one incident. So they basicly found all the dirt that they could and used it as ammo for the press to attack the WWE. They do this with everything that isnt completely socialy accepted and G rated. It really makes me sad for the news. And this is why I dont watch the news.
      This was a fantastic question and thank you for the list

14. QUESTION:
    Why do I have horrific dreams?
    My dreams are always about extreme blood gore violence decay and death. They don't scare me or do i consider them nightmares. They are very disturbing and yet I cannot figure out why I constantly have them. Am I becoming insane or mentally ill? Can sleep deprivation, apopnea or apnea cause this? I also see some of this stuff during the school year when i only get 4 or less hours of sleep a night.

    • ANSWER:
      Dreams are caused by Psychological problems, you could be going through one through this stage of your life.
      Maybe (and this is probably the case) your worried about something that is likely to wrong like a test or if your applying for a job. this happens often with me,

15. QUESTION:
    I am coughing to death help are you good at diagnosing?
    Just got a diagnosis today (please answer all my questions if you can)

    I have been coughing for 15 or more years so bad that I thought I broke my ribs in coughing spells that lasted 4 plus hours. this actually had thrown out my back and the pain radiated around the ribs I later discovered) Just violent attacks that came and went (no cold symptoms with it--worst when lying down

    it comes and goes.

    For years I thought I had chronic breonchitis, then I thought an allegy to mold, one doctor thought it was post nasal drip

    Yesterday, I had an upper gi test. I was told I have "high level gastroesophigial relux" multiple instances. He said it was bad and going up to the throat or something.

    A doctor doing a biopsy said my glbbus sensation (lump in throat that sometimes causes choking and coughing.

    The coughing is worst when I lay down.

    I was recently told by a doctor doing a thyroid biopsy on me that he thought I had larengoesophigeal reflux and the problem was likle ynot my thyroid.

    In researching I saw that this disorder causes a lot of clear phelm to be coughed up. It has been so bad I could not breath for a minute last week as my throat clogged up with phelm and now think it is causing or exacerbating my sleep apnea which is destroying my life as I am getting little rem and stage 3-4 sleep despite a bipap pressure setting of about 20. I figure when I am asleep I am not coughing due to wearing a large full face mas and without consciuous, it is staying in my throat and causing me to not breath. could the two be connected. I heard there is a correlastion.

    One of my querstiuon is (no 2 docotrs did not know or answer)

    all this clear, kinda sticky phelm I am coughing up, is it from my lungs or stomach?

    Could it be a protective mechanism of the body to coat my throat to sooth and lessen the damage tot he esophagus from the acid burning it form the reflux

    questions

    1 where is it coming from (stomach, liungs or body's portective mechanism)

    2 could this be causing or exacerbvating my sleep apnea (I sleep on my back as only way I am comfortable)

    3 can any kind of lung test detrermine if something is going on with my lungs

    4 is there any way to heal the esophagus, or fix this sphincter muscle that is letting it reflux up naturally

    I am afraid to take the drugs for it, and he said the surgery is rarely done and risky and they probably would not cover it but drugs. Can I heal this naturally

    If I took a ppi drug, would I need to be on it for lifetime or can t be fixed in 6 months (a doctor who made other factual errors told me this so not sure I trust her). Would the drugs make the esophagus heal and if I then went off wouldn't it come right

    5 will this eventually become acid reflux with heartburn or cause barrett's esophagus if untreated

    6 does one have too little or too much stomach acid or does this not matter..don't those drugs lower your stomach acid.

    Specialist today would not answer questions..have not seen family doctor yet but she had mentioned drugs which I read bad things about.
    left out a sentence

    A doctor doing a biopsy said my globbus sensation (lump in throat that sometimes causes choking and coughing. WAS LIKELY CAUSED BY THE FLAP IN THE THROAT EENLARGING TO TRY TO COMPENSATE

    AN ENDROCHROGOLIST I SAW TODAY CONCERNING MY THYROID SAID IT WAS 995 SURE TO BE CAUSED BY THE REFLUX (THE LUMP IN THE THROAT SENSATION THAT SOMETIMES HAS ME COUGHING AND CHOKING AND IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN IT IS HERE BUT IT COMES AND GOES..NO SENSATION FOR 2 weeks
    sorry about typos hope it is legible

    • ANSWER:
      My best advice would be to listen to your doctor and seek a specialist if possible. Sounds pretty complex so I doubt your going to find your miracle cure online.

16. QUESTION:
    Need your opinion! please answer (10 pts.)?
    Please let me know what you think of my essay for a scholarship I am applying for. I promise it is worth reading. Im not finished yet. Let me know what you think!

    Every day is a struggle to live a similar life that I once had. Thirteen months ago, on April 27, 2008, I received news that changed my life forever. My mother approached me and spoke the words that I least anticipated, “Samantha, daddy is dead.” Confusion with a sense of disbelief made me reiterate the scene. How did this happen? Why would god take my father? Will he ever come back? My father had departed overnight and there was nothing I could do to save him. Nobody knew what had caused his death. All we understood was dad did not have a pulse. Dad was not breathing. Dad was dead.

    Growing up, I had a magnificent and luminous childhood, one that most children would dream for. I had everything; wonderful parents who put their lives first to make their children safe and happy, compassionate family and friends, a lovely house in a good environment, and most importantly, everyone was hale and hearty. My parents did all they could to please my brother and me; however, they also enforced self-discipline to ensure a bright future. Both my mother and father emphasized the importance of school and maintaining health. While I played on a travel soccer team, I was consistently encouraged to maintain honor roll grades in one of the country’s most rigorous elementary schools. Though it was educationally tough, my parents stuck to their word and helped me get the work done. Whenever there was a problem, they would be there to fix it.

    As time passed, the superior life I once had started going downhill. On September 23, 2007, my great-grandmother, Stella Manaker, passed away. A few months later, my grandmother, Arlene “Ollie” Manaker, died from complications of dementia. Their deaths effected my life but not as significant as my father’s passing. The elderly are anticipated to die, not the young. When put side by side, a grandparent’s death is a radically different spectrum compared to a death of a young or middle aged person. For the elderly, there is time to prepare and accept death is near. Older people have lived life to the fullest and some consider, death can offer more than what life can. In my father’s situation, there was no time to prepare, neither say goodbye. He was not ready to leave, yet for some reason, God decided it was his time to go.

    About three weeks after my father’s death, the pathology department had finalized the cause of death. My father had suffered from a massive myocardial infarction as a result of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the hardening of arteries, specifically due to atheromatous plaque, such as LDL cholesterol. Several underlying factors, such as cirrhosis of the liver, stress from work, sleep apnea, and family genetics, caused this condition. Simple changes to his daily habits or seeking a Vascular Surgeon could have saved my father’s life. Despite the effects that my father’s death brought upon my family, I have learned many new.......

    • ANSWER:
      Hi! I very much like your essay. I sincerely am sorry for your loss, and this essay is certainly from what I can tell going to be a wonderful tribute to your memories.

      This is a very well written and well structured essay. Only one small edit pops out at me- the "luminous" used to describe your childhood seems a bit overdone, perhaps just magnificent.

      Your first paragraph does a great job of showing, not telling. However, your paragraph about your childhood seems to tell (however aptly) and not show. Its very good, but maybe add some examples?

      Overall this is a very effecting and engaging read, and I'm sure it will be approved and loved by all who read it. Great job, and I admire that you are writing about something so very close to you.

      Please feel free to ignore any of my critiques, I am a lowly editor, and you, the mastermind of the essay =).

      Good luck!

17. QUESTION:
    which of these surprises you? and why?
    I'm just curious.

    •Adults 18 and older need 30 minutes of physical activity on five or more days a week to be healthy; children and teens need 60 minutes of activity a day for their health.
    •Significant health benefits can be obtained by including a moderate amount of physical activity (e.g., 30 minutes of brisk walking or raking leaves, 15 minutes of running, 45 minutes of playing volleyball). Additional health benefits can be gained through greater amounts of physical activity.
    •Thirty to sixty minutes of activity broken into smaller segments of 10 or 15 minutes throughout the day has significant health benefits.
    •Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States. Physically inactive people are twice as likely to develop coronary heart disease as regularly active people.
    •37% of adults report they are not physically active. Only 3 in 10 adults get the recommended amount of physical activity.
    •Poor diet and inactivity can lead to overweight/obesity. Persons who are overweight or obese are at increased risk for high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems and some types of cancer.
    •41 million Americans are estimated to have pre-diabetes. Most people with pre-diabetes develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years, unless they make changes to their diet and physical activity that results in a loss of about 5-7 percent of their body weight.
    •Obesity continues to climb among American adults. Nearly 60 million Americans are obese. More than 108 million adults are either obese or overweight. That means roughly 3 out of 5 Americans carry an unhealthy amount of excess weight.
    •The percentage of adults in the United States who were overweight or obese (body mass index greater than or equal to 25) in 1999-2002 was 65 percent. Overweight and obesity cuts across all ages, racial and ethnic groups, and both genders. A new study in the Netherlands found that excess weight cuts years off your life.
    •16 percent of children and teens aged 6 to 19 were overweight in 1999-2002, triple the proportion in 1980. Fifteen-percent of children in the same age group are considered at-risk for overweight. The percentage of overweight African American, Hispanic, and Native American children is about 20%.
    •More than 10 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 5 are overweight, double the proportion since 1980.
    •Health risks associated with being overweight or obese include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, arthritis.
    •The major barriers most people face when trying to increase physical activity are time, access to convenient facilities, and safe environments in which to be active.
    •School and worksite interventions have been shown to be successful in increasing physical activity levels.
    •Physical activity among children and adolescents is important because of the related health benefits (cardio-respiratory function, blood pressure control, weight management, cognitive and emotional benefits).
    •According to a study done by the National Association of Sports and Physical Education (NASPE), infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers should engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily and should not be sedentary for more than 60 minutes at a time except when sleeping.
    •One quarter of U.S. children spend 4 hours or more watching television daily.
    •Young people are at particular risk for becoming sedentary as they grow older. Encouraging moderate and vigorous physical activity among youth is important. Because children spend most of their time in school, the type and amount of physical activity encouraged in schools is important.
    •Only 25 percent of students in grades 9 through 12 engaged in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes on 5 or more of the previous 7 days in 2003.

    • ANSWER:
      Wow you must be really curious to write all that. You're facts seem right on.I myself work out for 1 hour 5 times a week at my workplace. I think the workplace should encourage exercise and also the schools like you mentioned.

18. QUESTION:
    What can you do to help heal the the grieving process?
    My father, he died very suddenly last Tuesday. We don't know the cause of death just yet but just...one morning he wouldn't wake up and we called the police/paramedics and they said he had been dead for about an hour to 30 minutes. He had a heart murmur and sleep apnea too. He was only 44 (I'm 18) ...Anyway, him and I were very close and it just feels like I'll never be happy again and I got these crazy up and down moods. I feel fine one minute and the next I'm crying my eyes out. I keep thinking about that song in the play Phantom of the Opera "Wishing you were somehow here again". He was so kind and gentle, not a mean bone in his body. He was never mean to anybody and always accepted everyone for who they were. His profession/calling in life was the medical field. He was a Medical Assistant for over 25 years. Long before he died I knew I wanted to do that too. I want to make him proud...so what can I do? I mean, is there anything that can help or at least help the healing process? Thanks. God Bless.

    • ANSWER:
      I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost loved ones before but I wasn't really close to them but I can only imagine how difficult it is for you at the moment but to be honest, there is no way to speed up the healing process except for time. You are probably still in shock right now and obviously hurt. You will basically go through a few stages of it (grieving/hurt, anger, sadness, happiness then acceptance/peace). Healing will happen on its own time, and I don't think anyone truly get over losing a loved one but they come to accept their passing and continue life.

      In the meantime, what will help you the most is a strong support system (friends, relatives) around you and your family, to help you get through and overcome your grief. Also realize God is with you and pray to Him for strength to go on; realize that your father is in a better place and he will always be with you, although he isn't here physically. Aside from hearing comforting words from others, let them listen to you and don't hold back your emotions, let it ALL out. If you feel the need to vent almost everyday, then do it.

      You say you want to follow your father's career path and I'd say go for it. I'm sure he doesn't want you depress over his death, most likely he want to you to be happy and fulfilled in your life so do him proud.

      Stay strong.

19. QUESTION:
    With it being the way it is?
    With it being the way it is, I find it very different, I don't act my age, I am 39, but I act like I am still 30, I don't even look my age , I look like I am 50, but that is because of Acromegaly Causes
    Hormones are chemicals that control important body functions such as metabolism, growth and development, and reproduction. Growth hormone, like a number of hormones, is produced by the pituitary gland. It is one in a series of hormones that control tissue growth
    .. Levels of growth hormone and related hormones also are affected by sleep, exercise, stress, food intake, and blood sugar levels.

    Too much IGF-1 causes the bone growth that leads to changes in physical appearance and function

    .. It causes thickening of soft tissues such as skin, tongue, and muscles. Enlargement of the tongue can lead to breathing problems and sleep apnea. Overgrowth of muscles can entrap nerves, causing pain syndromes such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

    In more than 95% of cases of acromegaly, the excess growth hormone is produced by a tumor of the pituitary gland called adenoma

    Acromegaly Overview
    Acromegaly is a serious condition that occurs when the body produces too much of the hormones that control growth.

    .. The hormone most often affected is called growth hormone, or GH. It is produced by the pituitary gland, a tiny organ at the base of the brain.

    ..

    .. Growth hormone promotes growth of bone, cartilage, muscle, organs, and other tissues.

    ..

    .. When there is too much growth hormone in the body, these tissues grow larger than normal. This excessive growth can cause serious disease and even premature death.

    So you see that is why I am the way I am,, but still I hang out at the pool hall, I hang around youth, 19 to 25 years old, but still it is not me, I shouldn't do that, maybe a vote should be put into place,

    Should I hang out with the younger crowd, I would love to date again, but as with what I explained above, who the hell would have a man at any age, that looks like he 50 years old, and I am not talking about dating a younger person either,

    I don't think anyone reads my blogs no way so why should I write this , no one understands, it seems like everyone knows where to go, and people have money

    Any ways just how I feel

    Need to put it to a vote I thinks

    • ANSWER:
      Hang out with the people you are more comfortable with. If you feel like you are about 30, then that would be about the age group that you would need to be around. The ones your own age may be intimidating or more mature, which would not make you as comfortable. When you become comfortable with yourself with your medical problems, then it will be easier to socialize with others. It would take a good woman to understand you and to like you, which is what you want anyway, so your problem is filtering out many of the ones who are not worth it anyway. It is a blessing in disguise for you in that aspect. If it is meant to be for you to find that special someone, then it will happen. But it is nothing you should try to rush. Try to be patient with it. Live one day at a time and stop worrying about what may or may not be. Either it is going to happen or not, it is not doing a bit of good to worry about it.

20. QUESTION:
    Green Tea, Coffee, and Wine?
    Is too much of these for long periods of time beneficial?

    Green Tea Benefits:

    Lower Cancer Risk: breast, lung, colon, prostate, cervical, ovarian, mesothelioma, esophageal, stomach.

    Prevent Heart Disease: lowers cholesterol, prevents artery blockages, lowers blood pressure.

    Speed Up Weight Loss: fat blocker, boost metabolism, increase endurance, anti-fatigue.

    Protect Brain Function: memory, stroke, Alzheimer's, Parkinsons.

    Defend Immune System: flu, salmonella, common cold, HIV-AIDS.
    More Health Conditions Improved: including anti-aging, acne, allergies, body odor, sleep apnea, osteoporosis.

    Coffee Benefits:

    Coffee appears to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, cirrhosis of the liver, and gout.

    Wine Benefits:

    According Researcher Serge Renaud and his colleagues from the University of Bordeaux, moderate wine consumption reduces death rate because of all causes by 30%.
    Heart related death rates can decrease by 35%. Cancer related deaths can be reduced by 18-24% by wine.

    Researchers at the University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland have found out how wine reduces the risks of strokes. According to researchers Dr. Wilhelm Vetter and his colleagues, alcohol present in the wine is beneficial when taken during meal time. It reduces the growth of pathways to the heart called arteries by 20%. Growth in the size of these pathways can cause heart attacks and strokes.

    A similar study on the same topic by Israeli researcher Fuhrman and his colleagues found that drinking red wine along with meal reduces a harmful substance called LDL cholesterol by 20%. Rise in this substance indicate higher fat levels in the body.

    A Dutch study reports that the same practice of drinking red wine along with meals stops clotting of blood in the pathways to the heart.

    Researcher Gary Curhan and his colleagues from Harvard University conducted a study on 81,000 nurses. They wanted to know the impact of different beverages like tea, coffee, fruit juices, wine, water etc on their health. Out of the 17 beverages included in the study, wine was found to reduce the risk of kidney stone formation by 50%. This finding was again confirmed by researcher Curhan and colleagues in 1996 when they found that wine consumption reduces the risks of kidney stone formation by 39%.

    A 16 years of research study by Dutch researcher Dr. Thomas Truelsen of Copen-hagen University Hospital, reports that moderate consumption of wine reduces the risks of strokes.

    Research study on wine in Italy concluded that light to moderate wine consumption do not allow the build up of fats in the pathways of heart.

    A team of researchers from the University of Illinois has found that a compound called resveratrol can stop the growth of cancer cells in humans.

    Would having all three of these daily for a long period of time be triple beneficial or would the combination not mix well and be worse for you?

    • ANSWER:
      Too much coffee is not good in my opinion, green tea is much better. Coffee dosn't have that many benefits anyway. Too much wine is not too good either, but one cup a day might be okay.

21. QUESTION:
    Would you legalize Marijuana for Industrial and Medical use?
    Industrial use = Fuel, Food, Product, etc. (The portion of the products that can be made by hemp number over 2,500)

    Medical use = Alzheimer's disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Diabetes mellitus, Dystonia, Fibromyalgia, Gastrointestinal disorders, Gliomas, Hepatitis C, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hypertension, Incontinence, Multiple sclerosis, Osteoporosis, Pruritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Sleep apnea, Tourette's syndrome, etc. (Note: These are some the the diseases and viruses who's symptomes can be treated.)

    Annual American deaths caused by smoking marijuana. 0

    • ANSWER:
      of course so write your congress men and woman

22. QUESTION:
    Is this article True?
    1) Less may mean more. For people who sleep under seven hours a night, the fewer zzzz's they get, the more obese they tend to be, according to a 2006 Institute of Medicine report. This may relate to the discovery that insufficient sleep appears to tip hunger hormones out of whack. Leptin, which suppresses appetite, is lowered; ghrelin, which stimulates appetite, gets a boost.
    2) You're more apt to make bad food choices. A study published this week in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that people with obstructive sleep apnea or other severely disordered breathing while asleep ate a diet higher in cholesterol, protein, total fat, and total saturated fat. Women were especially affected.
    3) Diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance, its precursor, may become more likely. A 2005 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that people getting five or fewer hours of sleep each night were 2.5 times more likely to be diabetic, while those with six hours or fewer were 1.7 times more likely.
    4) The ticker is put at risk. A 2003 study found that heart attacks were 45 percent more likely in women who slept for five or fewer hours per night than in those who got more.
    5) Blood pressure may increase. Obstructive sleep apnea, for example, has been associated with chronically elevated daytime blood pressure, and the more severe the disorder, the more significant the hypertension, suggests the 2006 IOM report. Obesity plays a role in both disorders, so losing weight can ease associated health risks.
    6) Auto accidents rise. As stated in a 2007 report in the New England Journal of Medicine, nearly 20 percent of serious car crash injuries involve a sleepy driver—and that's independent of alcohol use.
    7) Balance is off. Older folks who have trouble getting to sleep, who wake up at night, or are drowsy during the day could be 2 to 4.5 times more likely to sustain a fall, found a 2007 study in the Journal of Gerontology. You may be more prone to depression. Adults who chronically operate on fumes report more mental distress, depression, and alcohol use. Adolescents suffer, too: One survey of high school students found similarly high rates of these issues. Middle schoolers, too, report more symptoms of depression and lower self-esteem.
    9) Kids may suffer more behavior problems. Research from an April issue of the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine found that children who are plagued by insomnia, short duration of sleeping, or disordered breathing with obesity, for example, are more likely to have behavioral issues like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
    10) Death's doorstep may be nearer. Those who get five hours or less per night have approximately 15 percent greater risk of dying—regardless of the cause—according to three large population-based studies published in the journals Sleep and the Archives of General Psychiatry.

    • ANSWER:
      More (& longer term)studies need to be done, but current studies do indicate a connection of sleep patterns to basic health!

23. QUESTION:
    Do I have a chance of surviving MEPS for Army enlistment?
    I've done a lot of homework regarding enlisting in the Army. I've wanted to for a long time, but held back due to personal reasons, and now it seems like I picked the absolute worst time to finally go for it. From my research, I have three DQs that require a medical waiver. I hear how hard it is to get even one, but since I need three, I imagine with the overabundance of recruits my chances are a hell of a lot less.

    1.) Depression (due to the death of a family member) for a few years that was prescribed medication. I am no longer depressed or on medication and haven't been for nearly five years now.

    2.) Headaches for a couple years that required medication. I have not had these headaches nor required medication for them for more than six years. There is no disqualifying physical or mental condition that caused these headaches.

    3.) Mild sleep apnea. I have been prescribed a CPAP machine, although I've never used it. I don't snore, I don't stop breathing at night, and I'm perfectly capable of getting a full night's sleep.

    The only reason I think I even have a shot is because none of these conditions are progressive and the first two are no longer present. I otherwise have no criminal background, am physically fit, and took the "pre-screening ASVAB sample" test at the recruiting office, on which I scored in the 70's. I was told that people generally scored higher on the actual ASVAB test, so when my recruiter punched in my information into the computer, I was qualified for pretty much any job that was available.

    I'm not going to lie on my form, because even though my recruiter said they can't check medical records due to patient confidentiality and wouldn't go through the hassle anyway, the consequence of doing so and getting caught is not even close to worth it. I haven't yet been to MEPS or taken the actual ASVAB.

    I've heard there are several variables involved with getting a waiver and nobody can say for sure, but do I even have a shot?

    • ANSWER:
      I think you have a shot (for the reasons you stated in your question) but also realize that they can afford to be very picky about new recruits. Waivers are difficult to get right now but not impossible. If I were you I'd wait for next fiscal year or when the economy starts picking back up. Even if you get DQ'd now, you can try later so don't completely give up on it.

      Best of luck!!!

24. QUESTION:
    Do I have to see my Therapist?
    Here's the story, I am seeing about 4-5 doctors, due to my anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, and obesity. I have been seeing my Therapist for a few months and I have always hated him ever since cause of his stupidity and always changing subject when we talk about my fears and etc. I also see my Psychiatrist before my Therapist, so I know my Psychiatrist longer and she was the one who recommended me to see the Therapist. I finally got my courage up to not see my Therapist anymore and reject his treatment(which is only talking about retarded stuff like his family, his diet? and his parents and his near death experience?!). And today he just called my mom saying if I don't keep seeing him, he would report me to the "higher-ups" and the government? about my "severe illness"(which appearantly is Anxiety disorder). and he said he would sue my mom for MEDICAL negligence -.-. and also he said if I don't see him, he won't allow me to see my psychiatrist who supplies me with medication, when my psychiatrist was the one who recommended me to see him...

    So what should I do? Should I keep seeing him or not? Because if I'm not mistaken, the Patients Bill of Rights says that Patients have the right to reject treatment and not see the doctor. Oh yea, also during a few sessions, he told my mom to quit her job when my family is low income and shes the only one who supplies the money, just so she "keep an eye" on me...

    Also, can he really "sue" my mom and report to the "government/higher-ups" to force me to go to a clinic and force treatment on me? Cause I believe that's some bullshit he's making up and im getting fed up with it cause he's talking like of crap to my mom.
    My mom wasn't the one who was telling me it, the Therapist was telling me it when I decided not to see him again, by the way I'm 18.

    • ANSWER:
      I really don't think somebody is telling you the whole truth. This may be your mother. As a minor you have almost no rights to decide your medical care. Those rights are your parent's.

25. QUESTION:
    Choking on belches and "foam" when sleeping?
    I have an occasional problem that is most unbearable.
    I wake up feeling like I'm choking to death. It starts as an innocent belch in my sleep. But the belch produces a "carbonated foam" and as soon as I swallow it I have to belch again. It can go on for minutes and repeats repeats seemingly without end.

    In the past, I thought it was stomach acid... but it doesn't taste nor burn like such. It just feels like someone shook up a soda in my stomach and then opened it.
    I've not been drinking much soda and not an hour or so before bedtime.

    Has ANYONE experienced this? What the heck is it? What causes it? How can I get it to stop (other than sleeping on a pillow which seems utterly impossible for me to do)?

    I had a sleep study done several months ago and I have mild RLS and very mild sleep apnea. I also have deuodenitis and galstones.
    Daily, I take 18 mg Strattera and 50 mg Celexa for anxiety. I take 200 mg Provigil as needed as well as gas-x (rarely), OTC Acid Reducer (almost daily) and 1 or 2 OTC Naproxin (almost daily). I sometimes take an allergy med before sleeping (it's that time of year *sigh*).

    Otherwise, I'm healthy and of normal weight. The other issues are minor complaints but I don't know if one of them may be contributing to these more frequent attacks of choking.

    Any ideas about what this is?

    • ANSWER:
      This may be something you should have checked, it might be the muscle that closes your throat, has a bit of leakage.
      Drinking before bed will put pressure on this muscle, but other things can be producing this unpleasant event. Acid reflux is one of the many, and they are usually easy to control.

26. QUESTION:
    Heart Palpitations, Head Rushes, and Insomnia. OH MY!?
    I'm an overweight, 22 year old male. For almost 4 years I've been having heart palpitations. When they first started, I was concerned and went to the hospital. They did an EKG and saw a strange heart wave and then decided to do a heart catheterization. They found that I have Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, which is the absolute most benign form of heart disease there is, or so they say. Anyway, they released me and said not to worry about it because it's not dangerous and if the heart palpitations increased or I ever fainted I would need to come back to the hospital, but other than that, just have yearly EKG's to make sure everything's okay. Skip forward 3 years. My heart palpitations suddenly increased dramatically, like from 2 or so a month all the way up to 20 - 30 per day. Also, I started having insomnia, I was having head rushes, I began feeling like I was going to die, and I had terrible headaches in pinpoint locations around my head that would last from 5 minutes up to about an hour. So, I began a barrage of tests. I had a brain MRI to see what was causing the headaches, they found nothing. I had a full blood work-up, they found nothing out of the ordinary. I had another EKG and Echo-cardiogram, and they said that it was the same as it was 3 years ago. Finally a doctor suggested that I have a sleep study done, so I did and they found that I have mild sleep apnea and fixed me up with a CPAP machine that I use every night. My cardiologist also started me on 2.5 mg of Bystolic per day to try and reduce the frequency and strength of the palpitations. That was about 5 months ago and for a couple of months it seemed to be going fine. Now, everything's gotten worse. I've had a CT scan on my brain and they found nothing out of the ordinary. They took X-rays of my heart, did another EKG, did more blood-work and again nothing came back out of the ordinary. But I'm getting light-headed, having 15 or so palpitations per hour, having head-rushes, feelings of looming death, my chest hurts constantly (although I assume that that's muscle pain seeing as how they tested me to see if I've had a heart attack and it came back negative and whenever I press on the pain it hurts worse), and generally just don't feel like I should at the age of 22. I'm running out of options, I've seen Neurologists, Cardiologists, Electrophysiologists, M.D.'s, etc. and they all tell me that they can't find anything wrong. Well, something is clearly not right, if anyone has any suggestions or shares my symptoms or could tell me anything to help get me back to a state of normalcy that would be most appreciated.
    Okay, I'm only on 2.5 mg of Bystolic per day, sometimes I take a Magnesium Chloride pill if I'm having extreme palpitations because it seems to help but it may just be a placebo effect. There have been no signs of magnesium deficiency in any of my blood tests. I don't drink caffeine, I drink alcohol rarely, i.e. one drink per month...maybe. I use no other narcotics whatsoever. On some rare occasions I may take an antihistamine or decongestant to relieve minor allergies or cold symptoms and I take OTC store brand pain relievers with acetaminophen, but normally only 500 mg at a time and even that is on occasion. The anxiety is a maybe, but I don't feel anxious really ever. I have a pretty care-free attitude about pretty much everything. So, I don't know... I'd rather not take any medications that aren't necessary and normally psychologists tend to throw medication at everything.

    • ANSWER:
      In addition to reviewing the drugs you are currently taking, I'd look at your diet.

      Are you eating the following?

      + Caffeine
      + Aspartame (excitotoxin)
      + MSG (excitotoxin)
      + Refined carbohydrates, sugar, instant meals with food additives or colorings
      + Sugars
      + Convenience foods with colorings and other additives.
      + Dairy (unnecessary for a balanced diet if you eat leafy greens, legumes, and whole grains)
      + Walnuts and peanuts or peanut butter

      Food allergies and sensitivities are very common.

      A pure vegetarian diet is ideal. Work slowly into an aerobic exercise program as prescribed by your physician.