Five reasons why people may die while sleeping

The possibility of a sudden and unexpected death is terrifying. It makes you feel anxious about the uncontrollable nature of life.

When someone dies in his or her sleep, some consider it to be a mysterious occurrence but however many rule out health factors.

In some instances, a probable cause of death can be found while in some others no cause is not ascertained.

Research suggests that too much or too little sleep is associated with a greater risk of mortality overall, but there is no clear evidence that the amount of sleep contributes to dying in one’s sleep.

For example, in January, five persons were reported to have died in their sleep in Ihugbogo community, Ahoda East Local Council of Rivers State.

In March, late Abacha’s son, Abdullahi who was 36, died in his sleep.

In April, a lecturer at the Kwara State University, Malete, Dr. Ajeigbe Issa, died in his sleep at his home in Ilorin.

In May, a female undergraduate of the University of Benin, Maria Precious Tunde, reportedly died in her sleep.

In June, Anambra State-born actor, Don Brymo Uchegbu reportedly died in his sleep.

What are the chances of dying in sleep? Here is what you need to know:

Cardiac arrhythmia: One of the most common ways people die in their sleep is due to heart issues, most likely cardiac arrhythmia. Cardiac arrhythmia is the disruption of your heart’s natural rhythm.

When this rhythm changes, it either beats too fast (ventricular tachycardia) or too slow (ventricular bradycardia) — both can lead to death. This irregular heartbeat can be caused by high blood pressure, a previous heart attack, heart disease, or heart failure.

Disorder: Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that is the cause of loud, disruptive snoring. But this sleep disorder can turn deadly, especially for elderly people.

Sleep apnea is an issue with your respiratory system that makes it difficult for sufferers to breathe at night. As the tissues in your throat constrict and make it hard to breathe, they vibrate, causing the loud sound of snoring.

Carbon monoxide poisoning also called “the silent killer”, is an odorless, colorless gas produced by burning fuel, usually from cars, fireplaces, gas stoves, grills, and furnaces.

If someone is in a poorly ventilated, enclosed space with an abundance of carbon monoxide, it can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Respiratory failure: Also, when a person suffers from respiratory failure, it is equally a difficult problem. The heart and the lungs are strongly complementary in the way they control the body. When the heart fails, for example, it is not able to send blood to the lungs for it to give oxygen to.

Other health issues: There are other health issues that lead to an overnight death, such as a stroke or brain aneurysm. Strokes are when the blood supply to the brain is cut off. Often times, strokes are caused by bleeding in the brain. 1-in-7 strokes happen when you’re asleep. Various medical conditions can cause a stroke, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes; however, a stroke can happen to anyone.

Peoplesmind