Dear Dream Doctor,

For the last three nights or so, I have different dreams with one related theme. I find myself being choked by a piece of gum that keeps getting stuck in my teeth and then lodged in my throat, and I wake myself up by gagging. It’s quite terrifying waking up not being able to breath. I’m wondering what this could mean?

—Sheri, Age 28, Toronto, CANADA

Hi Sheri—

To a person with training in sleep disorders medicine, your dream sounds like a classic case of “incorporation”—where an actual event that is occurring in your body becomes included into the story-line of a dream. Accordingly, I don’t think it is your dream that is waking you up. Rather, I think it is your actual difficulty breathing during sleep—a condition commonly known as sleep apnea—that is causing both the dream and your subsequent awakening.

I’ve re-printed some of the Signs of Sleep Apnea down below. Take a moment to see if some of these characteristics describe your sleep and daytime energy levels. If you answer “yes” to two or more descriptions—you definitely want to visit a sleep specialist for a more thorough evaluation.

Non-restorative Sleep: Wake up feeling groggy, tired. Feel like you haven’t gotten enough sleep.

Moderate to Loud Snoring: Although snoring can be mild in some patients, especially women.

Pauses in breathing ranging from 10 to 60 seconds, sometimes even longer.

“Crescendo Snoring:” Rising and declining volume of snoring in 30 to 90 second intervals.

Loud snoring and/or “snorts” upon resumption of breathing, often accompanied by movement in the bed.

Daytime tiredness, especially during sedentary or “hypnotic” activities such as:

  · Driving a car for longer than 30 minutes
  · Working in front of a computer screen
  · Sitting quietly, especially after lunch or dinner
  · Reading or watching television

Frequent arousals from sleep, especially to use the bathroom more than one time per night.

Waking up every one to two hours during sleep for no apparent reason.

Restless Sleep: Your bedcovers are messed up when you wake up!

Heartburn: Also known as Gastro-Esophogeal Reflux. Your difficulty breathing at night causes the acidic juices in your stomach to rise up into your throat.

Awakenings from sleep short of breath or gasping for air.

Morning headaches: You aren’t getting enough oxygen during sleep!! It can give you a wallop of a headache!!

High Blood Pressure: 50% of all patients with sleep apnea have elevated blood pressure levels!

The need to take naps during the day or on weekends.

Lack of energy and motivation.

Tiredness, Tiredness, Tiredness!!

Denial of tiredness when observed by spouse, children, friends, co-workers!!