Can someone explain a person's health deteriorating during the night and then improving in the morning?

My mother, age 64, fell and hit her head in August 2006. She had a subdural hematoma and swelling requiring surgical intervention. At the time, she was also suffering from pneumonia plus COPD, alcoholism and taking blood thinners. After her surgery, we were told she would never wake up and die from infection. She woke up and began a month later giving 1 word responses and short phrases. She began physical therapy and speech therapy, but never regained use of her limbs (has catheter & feeding tube). A month ago she contracted a bacterial lung infection and was hospitalized. The lung infection improved after 2 weeks, but she quit being verbal. The doctor had an MRI and CT scan done, but they showed no changes. She was returned to the nursing home on last Thursday and began verbally responding but the next day she appeared weak. The nursing home called very early the past 2 a.m. and asked family to come because her breath was labored but she then improved. Any ideas on this?

I'm sorry your mother has been so ill. Labored breathing can be caused by a lot of things, and the fact that your mother cannot communicate can make it even more challenging to figure out what was going on. The basic things that can cause it are lung problems, heart problems, brain problems, and pain, but there are others. It is possible that they gave her some treatment that night, and the treatment worked. It is also possible that the problem was just temporary, and it improved on its own. It is hard to say more without knowing more details. Her doctor would probably have a better idea what was going on that night, and whether it is likely to happen again. I will hope for the best for your mom.