Numerous things can go wrong when you shut your eyes and slip into unconsciousness. And for some people, things can go wrong up to such an extent that they never wake up again. According to a Greek proverb, death and sleep find themselves brothers. Death is the perfect fulfillment of sleep and sleep is the imperfect embodiment of death.
Can you Die while Sleeping?
Death is certain. In fact, it can knock you like a thief in the night. Dying while sleeping sounds like a very nauseating, peaceful, and pain-free way to kiss death.
Untold, There are few things that can cause death while sleeping. A nap however never causes death or in a very rare case. As we go further in this article we will explore some common reasons why people never wake up from slumber.
Should you be worried about dying while you are sleeping?
Explore some of the most common causes and how sleep disorders may contribute to a higher risk of never waking up. We spend one-third of our lives asleep, so it should be no surprise that a lot of people die in their sleep. Depending on the setting of the death, the death may be more likely in younger adults or children who die suddenly in the community without known illness.
If you die while sleeping, Will you be able to feel it?
A heart attack while sleeping might cause people to wake up out of pain, but death during sleep with no symptoms at all might take you to die peacefully.
Can Sleep Apnea Raise Risk the of Sudden Cardiac Death?
Sleep apnea is a very common disorder that links to many problems. It is a cardia disorder that creates potential damage to the sense of breathing. If you do feel tired even after a long sleep and you snort loudly, you might have sleep apnea. There are three main types of sleep apnea.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Central Sleep Apnea
- Complex Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can cause sudden cardiac death. The reason is the uneven relaxation and contraction of muscles. It can also cause high blood pressure and other heart problems that are risky. There can be a sudden drop in the level of oxygen in the blood due to obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea can also increase the risk of stroke and abnormal heartbeats can eventually lead to death.
Metabolic Syndrome is another complication of sleep apnea. It can also lead to high blood sugar, pressure, and increased cholesterol levels. It eventually increases the risk of sudden death while sleeping.
Possible Causes of Death While Sleeping
Heart problems: Heart attack is a very common cause of death during sleep. A heart attack alters the heart muscles to get enough oxygen. Parts of the heart muscle become unable to effectively pump blood and oxygen to the rest of the body. Any age group can die from a heart attack during sleep, it doesn’t matter young or old. According to the American Academy of Paediatrics, sudden cardiac death is the leading cause of death in young athletes.
Sudden cardiac arrest– When the heart suddenly stops beating-can accuse death in a manner of minutes. Well, it basically decreases the stream of blood flow into the brain. The worst part is, that not only do sleeping people die from it, but in most cases, the people show no symptoms before cardiac arrest occurs.
Stroke: A stroke interferes with oxygen applied to the brain. Stroke can be a reason to blood clots or bleeding in the brain. A brain aneurysm or massive stroke can cause death during sleep.
Epilepsy: Epilepsy also known as seizure disorder, is linked with factors of death during sleep. Accordingly to what the epilepsy foundation concludes, every year, 1 in 1,000 people with epilepsy meets death out of uncertainty. People already suffering from epilepsy can decrease the risk of death by SUDEP by keeping their medical status under control. People suffering from epilepsy are strictly advised to work with their doctor or any healthcare providers to get an effective and fruitful treatment plan and take their medications as prescribed on time.
Carbon monoxide poisoning: Sadly, some nighttime deaths are the result of accidental tragedies, such as carbon monoxide poisoning. Because carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that can be released by malfunctioning furnaces, it’s possible to go to bed with no idea that you’re bedding down in a dangerous environment.
Diabetes: The exact idea of night death of people due to diabetes is not still understood to final. In some cases, severe hypoglycemia may be the cause of death. Diabetes is also linked to some heart diseases, so some diabetics-related death is possible during sleep by abnormal heart rhythms. The term “dead in bed” has been used to describe this syndrome and accounts for approximately 6% of all deaths of people under the age of 40 who have diabetes.
Myocardial infarction: A myocardial infarction, more commonly known as a heart attack, can happen during sleep, though thankfully, the odds are pretty good that this specific type of cardiac event will wake up the person before it kills them. If enough heart tissues get damaged, the heart may not be strong enough to pump any blood out to the rest of the body.
Sleep disorders: Sleep paralysis, which is characterized by full consciousness but an ability to move, is not believed to be a cause of death during sleep. Some people suffer from homophobia, a fear of sleep that includes anxiety about dying mid-slumber. This can lead to insomnia and other sleep problems and disorders that will affect your life and eventually increase the risk of many serious conditions.
Conclusion
It’s also not untrue that there are many shrouded mysteries related to sleep that modern scientists are yet to discover. There are still some surprising things going on when our conscious brain turns off and our bodies begin the sleeping state. And many times, the results are horrible.
