Question
What should one do when they suddenly wake up in the middle of the night with a sneeze followed by a nosebleed?
Answer
Waking up in the middle of the night with a sneeze and subsequent nosebleed may simply be a symptom of snoring, but it could also be due to respiratory discomfort caused by conditions such as nasal polyps, sinusitis, or pharyngeal polyps in the nasal and throat area. Since snorers typically have narrower airways than non-snorers, the throat muscles automatically contract during wakefulness to keep the airways open and prevent blockage. However, when entering deep sleep at night, neural excitement decreases and muscles relax, potentially causing the upper respiratory tract to collapse. As air flows through these narrow areas, vortices are formed, leading to snoring sounds, and in severe cases, even temporary cessation of breathing.