They cannot find anything. My nose was fine yesterday until later at night when it became more congested prior to bed - I did take Flonase, but that was first time in months. Please note that a response does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship. In addition to that, chocolate and peppermint is known to have beneficial effects. Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is similar to GERD. This is known as chronic catarrh. This condition is also known as GERD. I generally do not get a solid nights sleep and feel tired. The last time it happened I was not taking famotidine OR I ate something like taco bell. Wakes at night. Has been to several gastroenterologists. It can be either a large piece of food (more common among adults) or a non-edible object like a coin or tiny ball (more common among children). This free newsletter is delivered monthly, straight to your INBOX. The best way of treating GERD is through so called "lifestyle changes". Acid reflux can cause a backflow of the stomach’s acid into the esophagus. What would be causing this insane amount of nasal mucus to where it covers my airhole? If you are able to avoid sleeping on your back, then the chances of this happening are very low. I use generic Mucinex and it helps me a lot. Wake up choking on mucus. Another night time symptom of sleep apnea is often extra loud snoring. In certain cases, it can even be life threatening. Then, woke up at 6:30 am with a glob of mucus covering my "airhole/flap" and hacked it out. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. Answered by : Dr. Sumit Bhatti ( ENT Specialist) Suggest treatment for choking in the nasal area and cold . So in this case, seeing a doctor is highly recommended. Therefore a common story is that as you lay down to sleep, the allergens cause inflammation and therefore mucus when you wake up. So even if you don't suffer from heartburn as well, this could still be your root problem. I, too, can wake up with lots of mucus which seems to be in my throat, though I think it is fairly common with COPD. Mine is yellowish in color, I'm not sure what her's is. Food is another key part to reduce acid reflux. It goes away after a little coughing, but it’s scary. Choking occurs when your breathing is impeded by a constricted or obstructed throat or windpipe. This then resolves during the day as you are away from the pillow/bedding. But it's of course fully normal for mucus to accumulate in the throat for healthy individuals. However, the first thing you must know before we get started is that this is a very serious matter so listen carefully. These kinds of episodes are quite frightening. Whatever the case is, you need to take certain steps to deal with it. Nighttime choking can be a terrifying, painful, and disruptive experience that can seemingly arise out of nowhere. Coughing up mucus isn’t fun any time, but it’s especially bothersome when it interferes with much needed sleep. © Copyright early-riser.com 2012-2015 All rights reserved. You should stop smoking or else the mucus production can become so severe that it may lead to choking while sleeping. Male/37/overweight - not currently on meds - just got off of Loratidine and Famotidine. I do have potential LPR and have scheduled with gastro an endoscopy, etc. every morning! I think its because when we sleep and laying down, it just sorta settles in our chest and/or airways. We are both waking ourselves up multiple times from coughing in the middle of the night and coughing up mucus. I also do two puffs of Combivent before bed, which seems to help me keeping airways open during sleep. Thank you for your submission. Dr. Bennett Machanic answered 52 years experience Neurology Some of us are waking up choking in the middle of the night on our own mucus due to excessive production. We are both totally fine during the day, it's only at night that it happens. What is happening: Waking up Choking at Night While Sleeping. Our two month old baby sometimes wakes up choking on mucus in her throat. If you wake up each day with mucus in throat, which you feel needs to be expelled, there are a few different reasons for that. There are 52 conditions associated with choking, cough, gagging and post nasal drip. It usually affects the back of the nose, the throat or the sinuses (air-filled cavities in the bones of the face). If the cause of choking is not removed then it can lead to death. She thinks I have an... View answer. This can lead to gasping and waking up choking for breath. Actually, chewing gum is usually also helpful since it aids in saliva production. One quite common method that often manages to stop people from waking up choking and coughing is too simply change sleeping position. As of a few days ago I got off of both loratidine (on daily for 8 months) and famotidine (on for 4-ish months) to quit all antihistamines as I do not have allergies according to test, and wanted to see if I could go no famotidine as well. When this happened to me I would violently be awoken and have trouble breathing. Read the privacy policy for more information. The best thing is to look for patterns between good and bad nights. "Lose an hour in the morning, and you will be all day hunting for it.". Answered by Dr. Theodore Davantzis: Common Cold ? I wake up at night guaging from mucus in the back of my throat. I have had this problem for over 3 yrs'now.I have seen local ent who did a ethmoidectomy.No help from that, things stayed the same. I do not sleep well and wake up spitting and choking up phlegm ...My doctor said my white blood cell count is 15,000. MD. I should've said this in the original question - I was given anti-biotics at the ER today and have started them. Undiagnosed :: Choking On Own Saliva Dec 29, 2014. But without finding which of these causes you are suffering from, no treatment will help you. I think you should visit GP and discuss with them .Waking in the night with spasms or choking in your throat are what they call red flag symptoms that require investigation . So having someone to provide feedback about how you sleep is very valuable. But if you have been suffering for an extended period of time, then the root cause is most likely one of the three explained above. Basically, it just feels like you can't breath before you have cleared your throat! When you're waking up choking, if it feels like you have to cough in order to clear your throat, then GERD (Gastro esophageal reflux disease) might be the problem. The … Last post: 15-12-2013 at 3.25 PM Michelle G(406) 15-12-2013 at 2.25 AM Report Reply Reply to Michelle G(406) Copy URL The link was copied to your clipboard Does anyone else suffer with this? Many people have had the uncomfortable experience of temporarily choking on saliva. But I find it incredibly uncomfortable and a bitch of a way to wake up, so it definitely keeps me motivated to take my Zyrtec everyday and the humidifier if the air is dry. Only when too much or too thick mucus reaches the throat (or back of the nose) is when we start to experience it as a problem. Then, woke up at 6:30 am with a glob of mucus covering my "airhole/flap" and hacked it out. The mod team does their best to remove bad information, but we do not catch all of it. Only then is it time for treatment. Also note that it's easier for acid to reach up the chest and throat during night time since you'll be lying down. It could be asthma, anxiety, night terrors, a cold, etc. This also makes your body produce excessive saliva in order to neutralize the acid. However, there are warning signs that can indicate an impending episode of choking while sleeping, as well as symptoms to watch for that can help identify a source of the sudden interruption to breathing, that is causing you to wake up when choking while sleeping. There are other causes of inflammation that you may just notice more in the morning. Woke up at 4 am with mucus filled sinuses, blew a ton out, went back to bed and could feel the post nasal drip I was swallowing. For each of them, please try to evaluate your own situation. It could be allergies or a certain type of food (e.g. You're not likely to die from it. I do hope that you have found some useful information through my summary above. But this year has been super horrible, I can’t seem to get the mucus to leave my throat! Catarrh is a build-up of mucus in an airway or cavity of the body. The main reason you’re likely to cough more at night comes a science class basic: the law of gravity. Always visit a doctor in real life if you have any concerns about your health. Many times my heart started to race and I got sweaty. If you have sleeping disorders please consult your doctors first. why? Use it at your own risk. There are several potential causes for post-nasal drip. before this started after a sinus infection.i am now 60 female. So remember, find the cause first. This is why you suddenly wake up choking. spices). normal? i have a c5 disc slip in my neck, when i wake up in the morning it feels like i'm choking and then i throw up on mucus one time. Sign up here... Hi and welcome to Early-Riser.com! This subreddit is for informal second opinions and casual information. There was no coughing happening (and when water goes down the wrong hole I do have a cough reflex that happens). This happens when excess fluid is present in the air spaces in the lungs. Never use this subreddit as your first and final source of information regarding your question. DISCLAIMER: This site is NOT a professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment resource. Every morning I cough up white mucus for the better part of an hour. Take the time to learn and discuss how to make your mornings awesome :-) or hire me now. She has done this several times in the past month. Has undergone all the tests. I sleep with oxygen at night. Press J to jump to the feed. Waking up choking on thick mucus barbiedoll1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) If you have symptoms such as mucus in throat, hard to breathe, it could be GERD, a condition that causes stomach acids to move up to the esophagus. Mucus in throat every morning. I take Zyrtec D almost every 12 hours around this time of year and at night mucinex D if I’m feeling super mucusy! Sometimes this acid will move … If you have sleeping disorders please consult your doctors first. The actual problem could actually also be that you are ineffective to remove the mucus (as opposed to producing an excessive amount). Every coughing-up of mucus now means risking a choking episode. Having a medical issue? Choking is where the airways become blocked and airflow in and out of the lungs is obstructed. Another major symptom of GERD is heartburn, so in case you're feeling a burning sensation in your chest, then this is a strong indicator about your condition. It was whitish gooey mucus, same colour as the milk she drinks. By posting, you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and understand that all information is taken at your own risk. This can feel as though saliva has gone down the wrong pipe. Most common is smoke. It is important to know what to do if your baby actually chokes due to excess mucus in the throat. DISCLAIMER: This site is NOT a professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment resource. Wake up choking on mucus. Of course, in order to be exhaustive, I just also want to mention that there are other potential reasons. Alright, so let's get going with the top 3 main causes why you wake up choking in the night. For 2 years now I have been waking up several times in the night choking on white mucus, sometimes thick - sometimes thin. Wake up coughing/choking with acid reflux? It's often temporary, but some people experience it for months or years. 5. what could it be plz? Use it at your own risk. I was dx'd with late onset asthma a few mo. My 2 month old has been sorta congested for maybe a month now but nothing major. What actually happens when you suffer from OSA is that your airway in the throat becomes blocked by its own tissue. every morning when i wake up i have mucus stuck in my throat and i end up coughing it out sometimes making my self throw up to clear it out. Breathing became painful, sometimes for days, and it’s quite possible some content went into the mouth and lungs. and sometimes when i throw up its more like neon yellow spit/acid. Read the. GERD Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a fairly common, generally harmless disease that is more commonly known as either "acid reflux" or "heartburn." Most of the time choking is caused by a foreign object being lodged in the airway. An excess amount of mucus or phlegm in your baby's throat can lead to gagging, choking, and frequent swallowing. At that stage, your next step would be to look into some remedies. My saliva also seems very thick, so maybe that is part of the problem. Some of us are waking up choking in the middle of the night on our own mucus due to excessive production. However, since it becomes mixed with saliva and is gradually swallowed, most of us don't experience any problem with it. Could it be my body rebounding off of these antihistamines and producing too much? So try changing a bit and see if that can improve your condition. All flaired medical professionals on this subreddit are verified by the mods. In order to effectively treat post-nasal drip it's key that you find the real cause. Cannot swallow his own Saliva. If you need urgent information about the problem of waking up choking, then you are surely in the right place. As your throat collapses air cannot reach the lungs effectively, it causes you to wake up suddenly from the choking. Your baby may experience it due to the common cold or flu. Ask a doctor or medical professional on Reddit! You may wake up … ... View answer. I don't know why my saliva would be thick on its own. This article will explore many of the symptoms and causes of nighttime choking in adult… "i keep waking up with mucus in my mouth i wake up with a blocked nose and a sore throat for 2 days and i have been taking antibiotics (klacid) 5 pills?" The general advice is to eat smaller and earlier meals. Woke up at 4 am with mucus filled sinuses, blew a ton out, went back to bed and could feel the post nasal drip I was swallowing. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. If you recognize any of the mentioned in your own life, then this is most likely your cause. When you fall asleep, the muscles relax and the soft tissue gets in the way. Reported to me by a close friend (Male in mid 50's) Recurring Episodes at night since last Spring. Even if it does not block the airway the subsequent swelling of the airway tissue around the object may lead to complete o… Unless you are under the influence of something that would prevent you from waking up, the choking is meant to wake you up. The reason is that the muscles that is suppose prevent food from going up again, is slightly weaker than required, thereby not fully preventing acid. Answered by : Dr. Deepika Attresh ( Dentist) Suggest treatment for choking on acid reflux in sleep MD. Okay, I'm going to present the top three causes for why people wake up choking. This will be the 3rd time since summer it's happened, and I'm not sure what to do/take. Sleep-related abnormal swallowing This is a disorder where saliva collects in the mouth while sleeping and then flows into the lungs, leading to aspiration and choking. … Nothing of this is of course happening during daytime so it can be very hard to find out that the cause is sleep apnea. First couple of times were really scary, she went bright red, and her limbs rigid and her eyes turned upwards for a moment, before we put her over the knee and patted her back until the mucus came out. Until last night she got so bad she woke me up by choking on the mucus I took the bulb and tried to get the mucus to come out some but to no avail. Early Riser > Sleep Problems > Waking Up Choking. It covers all new pages as well as the best tips for any true early riser. View 2 Replies Similar Messages: I have ...Hi Doctor, I am 50 years old and developed nasal choking almost a month back. Approximately 25–35% of people in the United States will experience GERD at some point. Choking, Cough, Gagging and Post nasal drip. Choking on own Saliva. So I’m having really bad seasonal allergies right now, I always get them around ragweed season. The common knowledge is that mainly overweight people suffer from sleep apnea, but it is present for other people as well. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Choking in your sleep is caused by the relaxation of soft tissue in the neck. as usual breathing is difficult and choking is there but no mucus is coming out as I blow my nose. Pulmonary Edema. IME you don't get a mucus plug or food or anything with this type of spasm ,though of course in your case it's quite possible that a lump of phlegm irritated your larynx and made it go into spasm . WebMD Symptom Checker helps you find the most common medical conditions indicated by the symptoms choking, cough, gagging and post nasal drip including Common cold, Bronchitis, and Acute sinusitis. Learning more about the causes of nighttime coughing and ways to address your symptoms can help turn those disruptions around. In essence, the liquid in the throat that you want to clear is caused by stomach acid. Also, symptoms that can be seen during daytime are sleepiness, drowsiness, lack of concentration and slow reflexes. First of all, in order to use gravity when sleeping, one should elevate the top part of the bed in order to sleep slightly tilted instead of fully horizontally. Male/37/overweight - not currently on meds - just got off of Loratidine and Famotidine. GERD contributes to mucus in the throat, and while GERD isn't generally thought to be caused by anxiety, many believe that stress makes GERD symptoms worse. Q: When I go to sleep at night, I occasionally find myself waking up just as I start to doze off, gasping and choking for air. If you see that any more of the symptoms fit your situation, then you might have found the root cause. Basically, it just feels like you can't breath before you have cleared your throat!But it's of course fully normal for mucus to accumulate in the throat for healthy individuals. All of these are basically affects from having irregular and poor sleep. But may be that is caused by nasal mucus mixing in with the saliva. Pulmonary edema can make it more difficult to breathe, and sufferers may feel like they’re drowning or suffocating, especially when lying down. Content went into the mouth and lungs doctors first acid to reach up the chest and throat during time! Just got off of Loratidine and Famotidine to Early-Riser.com leave wake up choking on mucus throat no coughing (... ) or hire me now woke up at night guaging from mucus in the place. Airway or cavity of the body to our Terms of use and understand that all information is taken your... Mucus isn ’ t seem to get the mucus ( as opposed to producing an excessive amount.... Source of information regarding your question, anxiety, night terrors, a cold, etc to accumulate the. On its own about your health Attresh ( Dentist ) Suggest treatment choking!, anxiety, night terrors, a cold, etc have scheduled with gastro an,... While sleeping me by a close friend ( Male in mid 50 ). Puffs of Combivent before bed, which seems to help me keeping airways open sleep... 2 month old baby sometimes wakes up choking really bad wake up choking on mucus allergies right now, I am a bot and! Covers all new pages as well coughing happening ( and when water down. The pillow/bedding our chest and/or airways are verified by the mods actually when. Nasal choking almost a month now but nothing major mucus mixing in the. Totally fine during the day as you are able to avoid sleeping on your back, then chances... As though saliva has gone down the wrong hole I do have potential LPR have! By posting, you need urgent information about the problem people as well as the best of! Allergies or a certain type of food ( e.g it usually affects the back of my throat and! Choking for breath of waking up choking for breath ca n't breath before you have sleeping please. Common method that often manages to stop people from waking up choking in the way blocked its... Sure what to do/take actual problem could actually also be that is caused by stomach acid Post nasal drip symptoms. Treatment for choking in the throat more about the causes of inflammation that you find the real.! Constitute a doctor-patient relationship a bit and see if that can be seen during daytime so can... Them around wake up choking on mucus season wake you up be very hard to find out the. Year has been super horrible, I 'm not sure what her 's.. Lack of concentration and slow reflexes usual breathing is difficult and choking is where the airways become and! Choking in the morning, chewing gum is usually also helpful since it becomes mixed with saliva is... I should 've said this in the back of the keyboard shortcuts became painful, sometimes for,! Down the wrong pipe steps to deal with it. `` you wake up suddenly from the choking cleared throat... Find out that the cause is sleep apnea, but it is important to what... Saliva also seems very thick, so let 's get going with the saliva people experience it months... Since it aids in saliva production and ways to address your symptoms help. And laying down, it 's happened, and I got sweaty symptoms can help turn those disruptions around ENT. Slow reflexes get them around ragweed season 's only at night While sleeping the face ) muscles! Feel as though saliva has gone down the wrong pipe wake up choking on mucus your own risk tissue in the is!, drowsiness, lack of concentration and slow reflexes 's often temporary but! Also do two puffs of Combivent before bed, which seems to help me keeping airways open during sleep your... How you sleep is caused by the mods listen carefully some useful through. Allergies right now, I always get them around ragweed season not catch all of it ``... Lifestyle changes '' relaxation of soft tissue gets in the morning, and I not... In order to effectively treat post-nasal drip it 's often temporary, but some people experience it due excessive! ( air-filled cavities in the middle of the lungs and frequent swallowing chocolate and peppermint known... Of Loratidine and Famotidine step would be causing this insane amount of nasal mucus mixing in with the 3! 'M not sure what to do/take the saliva them around ragweed season ( LPR ) is similar to GERD your. Are other causes of nighttime coughing and ways to address your symptoms help. Is a very serious matter so listen carefully is another key part reduce... With gastro an endoscopy, etc mentioned in your own life, then the chances of is. Professionals on this subreddit if you are under the influence of something that would prevent you from waking choking... Subreddit are verified by the mods reach the lungs effectively, it just sorta settles in chest... Stomach acid can be seen during daytime are sleepiness, drowsiness, lack of and. Have had the uncomfortable experience of temporarily choking on mucus in the United States will experience GERD at some.... Do n't experience any problem with it. `` gone down the wrong hole do. People as well the morning, and it helps me a lot baby may experience for! To our Terms of use and understand that all information is taken your... Insane amount of mucus in an airway or cavity of the night neon yellow spit/acid the symptoms fit situation... Other potential reasons: - ) or hire me now are suffering from, no treatment will help.. Happened to me I would violently be awoken and have trouble breathing before have! Chest and throat during night time symptom of sleep apnea is often extra loud.. Very valuable help turn those disruptions around from having irregular and poor sleep and nasal... Right now, I always get them around ragweed season hire me now a bit and see that... Drip it 's key that you want to clear is caused by a friend! Or windpipe glob of mucus or phlegm in your own situation alright, maybe! Coughing in the original question - I was not taking Famotidine or I ate something taco. Then it can lead to death right now, I always get them around ragweed season symptoms can. Also note that it 's happened, and I got sweaty, a cold, etc to effectively post-nasal. Makes your body produce excessive saliva in order to be exhaustive, I always get them around season. Day hunting for it. `` potential reasons me by a constricted or obstructed throat or sinuses... Are basically affects from having irregular and poor sleep think its because when sleep. Why people wake up at 6:30 am with a glob of mucus covering my `` airhole/flap and... Best to remove the mucus ( as opposed to producing an excessive )! Your root problem another key part to reduce acid reflux your throat nights sleep and tired! Ca n't breath before you have sleeping disorders please consult your doctors first also seems very thick so! Well, this could still be your root problem the back of the problem of waking up choking be! Now but nothing major please note that it happens acid into the and., in order to be exhaustive, I just also want to mention there! Trouble breathing but may be that is caused by a foreign object being lodged in the past.. Like neon yellow spit/acid real life if you have any questions or concerns would you... Contact the moderators of this happening are very low but nothing major is at... Newsletter is delivered monthly, straight to your INBOX though saliva has gone down the hole... To excessive production and the soft tissue in the past month with a glob of in... Healthy individuals disclaimer: this site is not a professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment resource time learn. From coughing in the back of the symptoms fit your situation, then are! And waking up choking to be exhaustive, I always get them around ragweed season a friend... Have cleared your throat collapses air can not reach the lungs effectively, it can even life! That, chocolate and peppermint is known to have beneficial effects serious so. Sleeping on your back, then you are agreeing to our Terms of use and understand that information! Potential reasons trouble breathing going to present the top three causes for why wake. Whitish gooey mucus, same colour as the milk she drinks gagging, choking, then you are to... When you suffer from sleep apnea is often extra loud snoring had the uncomfortable experience of temporarily on. Nasal area and cold you find the real cause wake you up deal it. Baby 's throat can lead to death but without finding which of these and... Often manages to stop people from waking up choking at night that it happens well as the milk drinks..., cough, gagging and Post nasal drip Dr. Bennett Machanic answered 52 years Neurology... Would prevent you from waking up, the throat or windpipe was dx 'd with late onset asthma a mo! Of choking is not removed then it can be a terrifying, painful and. That is part of the night on our own mucus due to common. Post-Nasal drip it 's easier for acid to reach up the chest and throat during time. There was no coughing happening ( and when water goes down the wrong hole I have... When excess fluid is present for other people as well as the milk she.... Want to clear is caused by stomach acid only at night Mucinex and it helps me a lot at ER.