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Sleep Apnea
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Jolt/shocking sensation

Posted by Captin Cannuck on May 07, 2007 at 06:59:30:

Do you have a jolt-like sensation which accompanies your sleep apnea? I do, and I have been searching for an answer as to what this is. For me, it feels like a jolt of electricity. It is as if I have received an electric shock. It is very uncomfortable and very unsettling. I have been worried about the possibility that I might have cardiac problems, but none have been found by my cardiologist. I have written on this before, and know other people who have a similar sensation, but do not know where it comes from.

I just came across the following on the net. It mentions a burst of adrenalin which "jolts" us awake. It talks about apnea as a cycle:

The cycle of apnea:

-The apneic patient falls asleep
-Muscle tone in the body relaxes
-Airway narrows and/or collapses, causing breathing to be difficult or impossible.
-The collapse of the airway may cause loud snoring, snorts, pauses in airflow, and labored breathing・
-Oxygen levels begins to fall.
-The apneic patient continues to struggle for breath…time goes by…10, 20, 40 seconds…and longer…
-Heart rate falls below normal—there is decreased oxygen to pump through the body.
-Brain senses low oxygen/high carbon dioxide level, releases jolt of adrenaline—“fight or flight” response—to awaken brain and body and prevent suffocation.
-Sleeper awakens briefly, takes five or six large breaths, breathing in oxygen and blowing off excess carbon dioxide (CO2). Sleeper typically does not remember arousal.
-Sleeper often repositions him or herself on the bed.
-Heart rate speeds up in response to rush of adrenaline—now pumps above normal heart rate.
-Oxygen/carbon dioxide levels return to near normal. Brain allows sleeper to resume sleeping.
-Sleeper falls asleep.
-Muscle tone relaxes…

-Cycle repeats.

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