The person attempts to breathe, but can't. The patient often wakes up choking or gasping, but they may also snore or there may be breathing pauses before the oxygen level drops and the brain kicks in.

Sometimes people just make noise. We refer them to ear/nose/throat specialists.

All you know is that you wake up not feeling fully refreshed.

I couldn't breathe for a while. It was a little bit scary. I was making the universal signal for choking.

A careful physician, before he attempts to administer a remedy to his patient, must investigate not only the malady of the man he wishes to cure, but also his habits when in health, and his physical constitution.

That's because I was choking.