[Guest]

Twice in the past month I've suddenly been awakened from a sound sleep by being unable to breathe. I have great trouble getting air into my lungs and feel as if they aren't expanding. I've never been diagnosed with asthma I don't normally have problems breathing, I don't wheeze or cough usually, I can exercise without shortness of breath. I'm totally baffled by what this problem could be but it's terrifying. I do smoke cigarettes and I was told 20 years ago I probably had an allergy of some sort but I've never been tested for it. Is there such a thing as a sudden asthma attack without the usual chronic symptoms? What should I do to seek help?

[Guest]

there are many things that could cause the symptoms you describe. Asthma or an allergy stimulating asthma is possible without the other daytime symptoms. For anyone who has smoked, COPD can be a problem. Also patients with obstructive sleep apnea often complain of situations like this. You should seek out advice from your doctor and consider seeing a pulmonologist for this.
[quote] Twice in the past month I've suddenly been awakened from a sound sleep by being unable to breathe. I have great trouble getting air into my lungs and feel as if they aren't expanding... [/quote]