A case of sleep choking syndrome improved by the Kampo extract of Hange-koboku-to

Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2002 Jun;56(3):325-7. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1819.2002.01001.x.

Abstract

A case of sleep choking syndrome with typical symptoms is presented. A 44-year-old Japanese male suffered from multiple episodes of choking, which suddenly appeared with fear of impending death about 30 min after falling asleep almost every night. Overnight polysomnography showed an apnea index of 0.92 events/h, an apnea-hypopnea index of 2.77 events/h, and normal respiration during sleep with the exception of the episodes of apnea and hypopnea. No choking episode occurred in the sleep laboratory. The administration of 500 mg of acetazolamide was ineffective, but the choking episode improved after the administration of Kampo extract of Hange-koboku-to (Ban-xia-hou-pu-tang). Hange-koboku-to may be effective in treating choking sensation during sleep as well as during wakefulness.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Airway Obstruction / drug therapy*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medicine, Kampo
  • Polysomnography
  • Sleep / physiology
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes / drug therapy*
  • Sleep Stages / drug effects*

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal