why do we pass gases when we sleep?
920381
On a somewhat serious level:\n\nFlatulence is the presence of gas under some degree of pressure, in a confined space. The term is normally used of the presence of gas in the digestive tract of mammals, usually leaving a distinct odor. However, a balloon is flatulent as is a fizzy drink until the gas is released by opening the bottle containing it.[1] Though confused by the word's use as a euphemism for 'fart', flatulence is distinct from flatus, which is the release of such confined gas.[1] The distinction becomes very important in cases of bloat. In the animal digestive tract, the gas is produced by symbiotic bacteria and yeasts.\n\nDoes IBS or IBD keep you up at night?\nA population-based study by Mayo Clinic researchers on sleep uncovered an association between sleep and some gastrointestinal disorders. The authors found that people who had sleep disturbances were more likely to also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) than people who did not have sleep disturbances. It is unclear whether the IBS causes the sleep disturbances (or vice versa) or if they are both caused by another condition.\n\nOn a slightly humorous level:\nWe do not hold them in because we are not awake to think about it. Since it is a natural bodily function as gasses accumulate from functions within, it just does the natural thing. Hopefully, if you are sleeping with someone else, they are not awake, unless of course, you would like them to "enjoy" it.\n\nAnd, if you really want to laugh:\nhttp://www.heptune.com/farts.html?&referrer=http://www.jokeaday.com/\nThere is a subheading on sleep "gas passing" entitled:\nHOW LONG WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO NOT FART
732198
I'm a nurse and probably could answer this more medically.  But, the kind of sleep state that you are experiencing is really not well described in science, in my opinion. So, bear with my fluffy talk about it.  It seems to me that different sleep states are kind of like different states of matter . . .gas, liquid and solid. There's a "twilight" sleep state when we first start to fall asleep sometime that is a little "gooey".  It feels like we are awake and yet we aren't.  But, that's not what you're talking about.  That state that you are experiencing, when it has happened to me, seems like another "state of matter" altogether.  It's like the fourth state of matter called plasma. Fire is mostly plasma, a high energy form.  This sleep state, when it happens to me, is like a burning, churning flush of energy. I noticed that I was blowing off a sugary breath, like a diabetic. So, it may be metabolic related. I changed my diet off empty sugar foods then and it seemed to help, though, I won't ever give up all my candy and sweet junk food. I've also noticed that this kind of sleep state occurs when my life is going along at a hot and heavy clip, like sailing into busy shipping lanes full of confusion and quick decisions, with all the adrenaline rush of navigating such perilous waters.
426554
It works with each heartbeat.  The gas moves with each heart beat. The area of the lung where the blood takes the gas is called the A/C membrane (Alveolar/Capillary) the membrane is so thin so the gas can diffuse into the blood.
626479
too much sugar at breakfast? ...I would expect you to get sleepy 2 hrs after eating. Maybe your car has an exhaust leak? Do you commute in traffic? a bridge? a tunnel? carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that can make you sleepy and reduce the amount of oxygen in your blood. Try getting up, walk a lap and take at least 3 deep breaths to "snap" out of it. Or take a nap. Get your muffler checked.
378590
People yawn when the level of carbon dioxide in their blood is a little too high, this is bad and eventually can cause unconsciousness.  To stop this you yawn, yawning means you take in a big gulp of oxygen and expel carbon dioxide.  They are thought to be contagious because if I see you yawning my brain thinks.. uh oh there is too much carbon dioxide in this room that person is already feeling the effects, to protect myself I will yawn too!\n\nBy the way you also yawn if you're tired because you're breathing naturally slows which makes carbon dioxide build up more easily.  You will yawn when you are tired to expel this excess carbon dioxide!
305821
You yawn because there's not enough oxygen in the air and your body just does that to get more oxygen in one breath. So tecnicly everybody's not getting enough oxygen.
1174829
because our bodies are low on oxygen... we yawn to take in a big gulpl of fresh oxygen to awaken our sleepy oxygen deprived brain... you know it does a body good.
122576
When the airflow in the breathing passage becomes irregular due to a blockage, eg, in a stuffy place, the soft palate may start flapping due to your trying to get more air by breathing using your mouth. This flapping of the soft palate is what makes the snoring.
391981
Breathing is an involuntary reflex that responds to the body's cellular need for respiration...during sleep you have even less ability to change your breathing pattern than when you are awake
763987
It sounds like your not drinking enough water. I could be wrong but, usually when you are falling asleep like that, it is lack of oxygen in your blood stream. Your VO2 max has mostly to do with oxygen getting to the muscles while you workout. No, your VO2 max has nothing to do with this. How much are you sleeping? If you ride alot, you need at least 7-8 hours of rest a night.
330842
that is your body's reminder to you that you need to move!\n\nusually when that happens, there is a loss of blood circulation from that area, and it "falls asleep." it's a painful reminder sent to us by our muscle tissue that it needs oxygen!
1049703
Good question!\nMany people believe that we yawns are the cause of to get rid of extra carbon dioxide and to take in more oxygen. Not entirely true (see ref 1 and 3). Sometimes we yawn as we shift phases from being awaken, to feeling sleepy, and anytime during our awakened state. And sometimes they simply are contagious(2).\n\n"Giving people additional oxygen didn't decrease yawning and decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide in a subject's environment also didn't prevent yawning. "(3)
85551
I think this deserves to be a featured question.  Here are a few theories and a link below:\n\nEverybody yawns - from unborn babies to the oldest great-grandparent. Animals do it, too. But why, exactly, do people and animals yawn? No one knows for sure. But there are many theories (ideas) about why people yawn. \n\nOne is that when we are bored or tired, we just don't breathe as deeply as we usually do. As this theory goes, our bodies take in less oxygen because our breathing has slowed. Therefore, yawning helps us bring more oxygen into the blood and move more carbon dioxide out of the blood.\n\nYawning, then, would be an involuntary reflex (something we can't really control) to help us control our oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Sounds good, but other studies have shown that breathing more oxygen does not decrease yawning. Likewise, breathing more carbon dioxide does not increase yawning. Hmmm. Now what?\n\nAnother theory is that yawning stretches the lungs and lung tissue. Stretching and yawning may be a way to flex muscles and joints, increase heart rate, and feel more awake.\n\nOther people believe that yawning is a protective reflex to redistribute the oil-like substance called surfactant (say: sur-fak-tunt) that helps keep lungs lubricated inside and keeps them from collapsing. So, if we didn't yawn, according to this theory, taking a deep breath would become harder and harder - and that would not be good!\n\nBut there is one idea about yawning that everyone knows to be true. It seems contagious. If you yawn in class, you'll probably notice a few other people will start yawning, too. Even thinking about yawning can get you yawning. How many times have you yawned while reading this article? We hope not many!
237267
During exercise (movement) the body destroys cells, so during sleep (and rest) the body repairs and replaces cells.  The food we intake provides the body with the nutrients needed.  \n\nSleep also relieves pain.  The metabolism slows (cutting the oxegen supply) which (magically) lessens pain. \n\nEat healthy!!!!\n \n\n\nI am not a doctor.
379311
sundevil is right, it has to do with the ability of matter to conduct heat away from your body. Since your body is always generating heat by cellular respiration (your cells burning food in order to function), your body will increase in temperature if there is nothing to take away the energy, causing you to feel hot. Gases are poor conductors of heat, so they have to be much cooler than you to be effective coolants. Once you transfer some heat to the air near you, that air has to transfer heat to other air near it before it can absorb any more. Gas molecules are far apart and  transfer energy betwen each other much less than solids and liquids. Your body will keep making itself hot faster than the air can cool it down. Liquids and solids have much larger heat capacities, so they can absorb energy without much raising in temperature and are much better conductors of heat, transfering energy to other molecules so they can absorb more.
685459
This happens to many people, though the symptonms are different. many of us who generally sleeps in a room, will get 'good' cold when made to slept under open sky.\nThis is due to the changes in temperature (though mild) during the second part of night. Cold generally occurs during change in season (temp. change)\nYou are the type of person who gets cold easily, so i advise you not to sleep that way, or have a thin bedsheet to cover your body. Also have lots of citrus fruit to increase your immunity against cold.
53870
It's a basic biological function.  Your body produces gases while digesting, just let it out.\n\nIf you are afraid of offending someone in bed change your diet.  If you eat a lot of meat you are in for trouble.  Each veggies and juice more.  Your partner will thank you for it.  You can also try "beano" it helps to lower the emmision.  \n\nGosh I sound like an authority on the subject, I'll shut up now.