I am a 37 year old male with no medical history. I have been…

The episodes you explain sound typical of panic attacks. They come all of a sudden and do not last long, you get this overwhelming sensation, some breathing issues, some shakiness, etc. It seems mild form of panic attack (you do not get heart pounding, difficulty to control your breathing, fainting, etc) and generally, using techniques to control the breathing and calm down may help settle these episodes. If they continue or get any worse you may need treatment for anxiety and these would consist of psychotherapy/counseling and SSRI pills (which are prescription only and accessed only after a face to face visit).

Episodes that happen at night are typical of panic attacks. They may happen at a certain time at night. The fact that controlling your breathing helps is typical of panic attacks as well.

This is normal as long as the heart rate goes back to the normal.

Because as I explained above you have some typical symptoms of anxiety that are happening only at night (you do not mention any issues during the day or with exercise).

Is there anything specific you are worried about?

Is there a specific sleeping disorder you are worried about?

You do not have the typical clinical appearance of OSA. OSA does not just cause wakening of the patient at certain time at night and chest tightness, overwhelming sensation, shakiness, etc that lasts only 10 minutes and after that the patient is well. OSA is often not noticed by the patient at all. Other people notice that the patient snores a lot and the patient may be sleepy during the day and tired.

The only way to rule OSA for sure is to have the sleep study called polysomnography and if this is normal then you do not have OSA.

Do you have any questions or the information provided above?

Please let me know if you need further assistance. I will gladly assist you here.