Why Does My Throat Feel Tight And Dry?

Should I be worried if my throat feels tight?

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Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm? Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Tightness in the throat can stem from an allergy, anxiety, thyroid problems, and various other health issues. It may be constant or intermittent, and it can range from mild to severe.

Why is my throat so dry and hard to breathe?

Skip to content Key Takeaways

• Waking up with a dry throat can have a variety of causes.
• People who wake up with a dry mouth or throat are more likely to sleep poorly.
• Causes of dry throat include specific medications, dehydration, snoring, and reflux.
• Dry throat remedies include using a humidifier in your bedroom, addressing allergens, and treating conditions like obstructive sleep apnea.
• See a doctor if you experience difficulty swallowing or breathing or see white patches in your mouth.

Waking up with a dry throat can be frustrating, especially if you are unsure of its cause. In addition to experiencing discomfort, people with dry mouth — often associated with a dry throat — are more likely to experience poor sleep quality, We discuss some of the most common reasons why people might wake up with a dry throat, and how to address them.

Why does it feel like my throat is clogged?

Globus is a symptom that can make you feel like you have a lump in your throat. It is also called ‘globus sensation’. Globus can be caused by many things, such as an increased tension of muscles or irritation in the throat. There are various things you can do to manage your globus symptoms at home, without the need to attend your GP.

How do you fix a tight throat?

Does your throat feel tight or like you can’t swallow your food? Many things can cause this. Not all are serious. Let your doctor know right away if the tightness doesn’t go away or if you have any other symptoms with it. Depending on what’s causing the tightness in your throat, it might feel like:

Your throat is sore or burns. Your throat is swollen or closed up. You find it hard to swallow. You have a lump in your throat. You need to swallow often.

Heartburn or GERD Heartburn is a common problem that may cause tightness in your throat. Your throat can feel sore or burn. You might find it hard to swallow. It can last anywhere from minutes to hours. This condition happens when stomach acid rises in your esophagus and creeps into your throat.

If this happens often, it may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD, You can get heartburn after you eat a big meal or if you lie down right after eating. Some foods and drinks can trigger it. This includes tomatoes, spicy or fatty foods, alcohol, or foods with lots of acid, like citrus. Stress, smoking, and obesity make it more likely that you’ll get it.

If heartburn causes your throat tightness, you might also have these symptoms:

Pain or burning in your chest after meals, when you lie down, or when you bend over Bitter, sour, or salty taste in your mouth A feeling like food is stuck in your throat or chest

To keep it from happening, avoid trigger foods. Stop eating at least 3 hours before you go to bed. It may help to raise the head of your bed 6 inches to keep stomach acid where it belongs while you sleep, When it does strike, you can try OTC (over-the-counter) antacids.

For intense attacks or if it happens often, see your doctor. You may need prescription medication, For example, H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can help slow down your body’s production of stomach acid, while prokinetics and antibiotics speed up digestion to help your stomach get rid of waste after eating.

Be sure to ask your doctor about the possible side effects of these medicines, including nausea, diarrhea, and a loss of bone density. In some serious cases, your doctor might recommend surgery. Allergic reaction Anaphylaxis is a fast, strong allergic reaction to something – often a food, drug, or insect sting,

Low blood pressure Trouble breathing Dizziness or fainting Itchy mouth, eyes, or throat Hives or rash Pale or bluish skin Stomach pain or vomiting

If you notice any of these signs, call 911 right away. Your doctor may prescribe an epinephrine self-injection pen to keep on hand if you know you have any allergies that could cause anaphylaxis. Remember that you’ll still need to call 911 right away after you use it.

The medicine can wear off, or you could have a second reaction. Tonsillitis If you still have your tonsils, you can get tonsillitis, That’s when tonsils become inflamed because of an infection from viruses or bacteria. Tonsillitis makes your tonsils swell and hurt. Your throat feels very sore. You may find it hard to swallow.

Lymph nodes in your throat and neck can swell up too. If tonsillitis is the cause of your tight throat, you may also have these symptoms:

Red throat Fever Hoarse voice White or yellowish patches on the back of your throat Headache Bad breath

If it’s caused by a viral infection, treat it with rest, warm liquids, throat lozenges, and gargles with saltwater to ease throat pain and tightness. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen may ease fever and pain. If a bacterial infection is the cause, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics,

If it happens often or makes it hard for you to breathe, swallow food, or sleep, you may need surgery to remove your tonsils. Goiter A goiter is when your thyroid swells. This is a big, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your throat. It makes hormones that keep your metabolism in balance. When it gets bigger, it can make your throat feel tight and closed up.

A goiter can happen if you don’t get enough iodine in your diet, This mineral is an important part of your thyroid’s hormone production. Most people get enough iodine because it’s added to most table salt. It’s also found in seafood, seaweed, dairy products like yogurt or milk, and grains.

Lump in your neck that you can feel or see under the skin Problems swallowing Trouble breathing Cough Hoarse, scratchy voice

If you think you may have a goiter, see your doctor. Your doctor can feel your throat for any lumps and run tests to find the cause, such as:

Blood test to measure your thyroid hormone levels or spot any antibodies that suggest thyroid disease Ultrasound or scan of your thyroid Thyroid biopsy to draw out a fluid sample that’s sent to a lab for testing

Treatment of a goiter depends on the cause. If your case is mild and only causes a little swelling, you may just need to watch it. To get enough iodine, use iodized table salt and eat fresh fish or shellfish, or seaweed foods like sushi. Cut back on iodine if your doctor says you get too much.

Medications can either raise or lower your thyroid hormone levels to get them back to normal. This can reduce the swelling. If you have a very large goiter that makes it hard to breathe or swallow food, you can have surgery to remove part or all of your thyroid. Thyroid cancer is also treated with surgery.

Anxiety Some research shows that anxiety can be linked to feelings of tightness in your throat. For example, globus is the medical term for the feeling of a lump in your throat. People who have this almost always say it’s worse when they’re stressed or anxious.

1. This is at least in part because stress triggers muscle tension.
2. Another condition related to tightness in your throat is dysphagia, which is when you have a hard time swallowing or feel like something is stuck in your throat.
3. In one study, doctors were able to predict how severe participants’ dysphagia was based more on whether they said they had anxiety than on the standard physical exam and tests.

Muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) This is when your voice gets strained because you’re having to put more pressure or effort into speaking because of an issue affecting your voice. It can make the muscles in your neck feel tense or tight when you talk. It also can make you sound gravely, hoarse, or raspy and make it hard or painful to speak.

A reaction to an upper respiratory infection Stomach acid working its way up to the throat (laryngopharyngeal reflux or LPR) Secondhand smoke Overusing your voice Stress

How can I get rid of tight throat?

You can help alleviate this tight throat feeling by relaxing your throat muscles. Gentle throat massage, rolling your neck to release tight muscles, relaxing, relaxing in a warm bath, and light to moderate exercise, for example, can all help eliminate muscle tension symptoms, including this one.

How long will a dry throat last?

How Long Does Dry Throat Last? – A dry throat should last between a few days to a few weeks, depending on the cause. If you think you are experiencing complications from a dry throat, or if it lasts longer than two weeks, see a doctor as soon as possible.

Can dry throat be cured?

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process, Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm? Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Treatment for a dry throat will depend on the cause. Medications can treat an underlying cause such as a seasonal allergy, while home remedies can often soothe a dry throat caused by a cold or flu.

Staying hydrated may help prevent a dry throat. There are many reasons why someone might develop a dry throat. Most of the causes are minor, but sometimes a dry throat may be the result of a more serious underlying condition. This article explores the causes, medical treatments, and home remedies for a dry throat.

The best treatment for a dry throat depends on the underlying cause, as follows:

Why do I feel like my throat needs clearing?

Many possible causes – The possible causes of chronic throat clearing are numerous and should be determined by a medical evaluation. These causes may include acid reflux irritation, post-nasal drip from allergies or sinusitis, the presence of vocal fold lesions, neurologic conditions such as tics, and side effects of certain medications.

• Because these causes differ greatly, a comprehensive medical evaluation is necessary to plan appropriate treatment.
• Diagnosis of chronic throat clearing may begin with your family physician or allergist.
• If typical treatments for allergies or reflux are not successful in resolving the throat clearing, an evaluation with an ear nose and throat physician and a comprehensive voice evaluation by a speech-language pathologist who specializes in evaluation of voice and swallowing disorders may be recommended.

UK Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) and Voice & Swallow Clinic collaborate to provide multidisciplinary care for the evaluation and treatment of chronic throat clearing. Patients may be treated for acid reflux irritation as the cause. This irritation can reach the level of the larynx.

Why does my throat feel clogged and I can’t swallow?

Cause – When food and liquids have trouble moving from your mouth to your stomach, there are usually two types of problems:

The muscles and nerves that help move food through the throat and esophagus are not working properly. This can happen if you have had medical conditions such as a stroke, brain or spinal cord injury; certain nervous or immune system problems; or scleroderma. Something is blocking your throat or esophagus, which could happen if you have conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophagitis, diverticula, esophageal tumors or masses outside the esophagus.

What does Globus feel like?

INTRODUCTION – Globus pharyngeus or globus sensation is the painless sensation of a lump in the throat and may be described as a foreign body sensation, a tightening or choking feeling. It is often associated with persistent clearing of the throat, chronic cough, hoarseness, and catarrh.1 Globus pharyngeus makes up 4% of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) referrals and is reported to have been experienced by up to 45% of the population.1

Why wont my tight throat go away?

Enlarged thyroid – If you have a very enlarged thyroid gland or a goiter, prescription medications and treatments may help reduce its size. However, in severe cases, surgical removal of some or all of your thyroid may be necessary. In cases of full thyroid removal, you’ll need to take thyroid hormone afterward to replace what your thyroid gland no longer makes.

Why is my throat so tight and no voice?

About Muscle Tension Dysphonia – Content If your voice is tired, your throat feels tight, or it hurts to talk, you may have muscle tension dysphonia, or voice strain caused by muscle tightness. This common voice problem can occur even if your vocal cords are normal but the muscles in your throat are working inefficiently.

You may not be using your breath to effectively energize your voice, or your throat muscles may be too tight when you speak. Muscle tension dysphonia can make your voice sound strained or hoarse and can make it uncomfortable to talk. It is common to experience muscle tension dysphonia along with another voice problem.

Muscle tension dysphonia can happen when you’ve been sick and developed a vocal cord injury, such as laryngitis or swelling of the vocal cords. Because of that injury, you may start relying on other muscles in your throat to speak. Even when your vocal cords have healed after the illness is over, you can get stuck in a pattern of relying on these muscles.

How long does a tight sore throat last?

How is a sore throat treated? – Usually, no specific medical treatment is needed if a virus is causing the sore throat. The throat most often gets better on its own within five to seven days. Antibiotic medicine does not cure viral pharyngitis. For acute pharyngitis caused by bacteria, your health-care provider may prescribe an antibiotic.

Does drinking water help throat tightness?

You can soothe a sore throat as follows: –

Drink liquids, at least 64 ounces (8 cups or 2 liters) per day to stay hydrated, to thin mucus, and to keep your throat moist. It’s very important to stay hydrated, even though it hurts. Drink water, tea (herbal or decaf), broth, soup, and non-caffeinated sports drinks e.g. Gatorade. Hot tea with lemon and honey can help. Gargle with warm salt-water. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of regular table salt in 8 ounces (240 ml) of warm water, gargle for a few seconds, spit it out, then repeat a few times. Do this three times a day. Wondering if gargling really works? Read this brief New York Times article about a research study on the effectiveness of gargling. To relieve pain and reduce inflammation, take ibuprofen (e.g. Motrin, Advil), acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or generic versions of these medicines, following package directions. Keep your throat moist by using a vaporizer or sucking on throat lozenges, ice or popcicles. Some lozenges also help relieve pain. Refrain from smoking. Smoking makes it hard to eliminate mucus and may predispose you to bronchitis or pneumonia. This would be a good time to consider quitting – See Tobacco Cessation Help. If you choose not to quit, try not to smoke during your illness.

Why does my throat suddenly close?

4 min read Laryngospasm is a rare but frightening experience. When it happens, the vocal cords suddenly seize up or close when taking in a breath, blocking the flow of air into the lungs, People with this condition may be awakened from a sound sleep and find themselves momentarily unable to speak or breathe.

Though it can be scary while it’s happening, laryngospasm typically goes away within a couple of minutes. Laryngospasm may be associated with different triggers, such as asthma, allergies, exercise, irritants (smoke, dust, fumes), stress, anxiety or commonly gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. GERD is a condition that occurs when the ring-like muscle that normally closes to keep the stomach ‘s contents from backing up doesn’t work right.

With reflux, harsh acids from the stomach rise up into the esophagus and cause irritation. Regular exposure to stomach acids can damage and inflame the delicate lining of the esophagus. This damage can lead to momentary spasms of the vocal cords, which close the airway and prevent air and oxygen from getting into the lungs,

When stomach acids reach the larynx, the condition is called laryngopharyngeal reflux or LPR. The tissues of the larynx are even more delicate and prone to injury than the esophagus. Coughs from a cold can push more acid into the larynx, so a recent or current upper respiratory infection may increase the likelihood of developing laryngospasm.

Laryngospasm may also be a complication of surgery. Anesthesia used during the surgery can irritate the vocal cords, especially in children. Laryngospasm caused by anesthesia can be life-threatening. When laryngospasm occurs, people describe the sensation of choking and are unable to breathe or speak.

Sometimes, the episodes occur in the middle of the night. A person may suddenly awaken feeling as though they are suffocating. This condition is called sleep -related laryngospasm. It also is often related to GERD. Some people will actually lose consciousness during these episodes. As the airways slowly open, the person will make a high-pitched breathing sound (called stridor).

The entire episode lasts only a minute or two before breathing returns to normal. But the experience can be terrifying. In addition to experiencing laryngospasm episodes, people with this condition will typically have symptoms of GERD, which include:

Chest pain Coughing Difficulty swallowingHeartburnHoarseness Nausea Sore throat or need to clear the throat

Experts say that in infants with GERD, laryngospasm might be involved in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). If GERD is the problem, treating the condition can help manage laryngospasm. Doctors often prescribe proton pump inhibitors such as Dexlansoprazole ( Dexilant ), Esomeprazole ( Nexium ), and Lansoprazole ( Prevacid ).

These reduce the production of stomach acids, so that fluids from the stomach that do back up into the esophagus are less corrosive. Another option is prokinetic agents. These stimulate movement in the digestive tract to reduce the amount of acid available. Patients who don’t respond to these treatments may need surgery.

One surgical option is fundoplication, a procedure that wraps the upper part of the stomach (fundus) around the esophagus to prevent acids from backing up. Also, a ring of titanium beads can be placed around the outside of the lower esophagus. It strengthens the valve between the esophagus and stomach while still allowing food and liquids to pass through.

Avoid lying down for at least two hours after eating.Avoid common heartburn triggers, such as fruit and fruit juices, caffeine, fatty foods, and peppermint.Eat smaller meals, and stop eating two to three hours before bedtime,If you smoke, quit. Also, limit alcohol consumption.Raise the head of your bed a few inches by putting wood blocks under the bedpost.Avoid allergy triggers.

Breathing techniques including slow breathing and staying calm also may help. In children who develop laryngospasm as a complication of anesthesia during surgery, treatment usually involves moving the head and neck to open the airway. It also involves using a machine (continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP ) to deliver air directly into the airway.

Is dry throat serious?

A dry or sore throat is not usually serious, and at-home remedies may be effective in quickly treating discomfort. Read on to learn more about treating a dry throat. This article also covers its causes and diagnosis.

What virus causes dry throat?

The Common Cold – Adults tend to be afflicted with the common cold about two to three times every year, and children contract the virus even more frequently than that. This viral infection is likely to cause a dry throat and will usually be accompanied with other symptoms such as:

Cough Body aches Mild fever Sneezing

Can anxiety cause dry throat?

Can stress and anxiety cause dry mouth? – Yes, stress is a common cause of dry mouth. Since anxiety activates the stress response, and stress response stresses the body, both stress and anxiety can cause dry mouth symptoms. Many stressed and anxious people get dry mouth symptoms.

How do I know if throat tightness is serious?

A tight feeling in your throat may be caused by heartburn, infection, allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), anxiety, or other conditions. If you suspect anaphylaxis, seek immediate emergency treatment. If you have tightness in your throat, you may wonder what’s causing it.

• The cause of the tightness can range from an infection such as strep throat to a more serious allergic reaction.
• If you have other symptoms along with throat tightness, such as trouble swallowing or trouble breathing, you need immediate medical treatment.
• Read on to learn more about possible causes for tightness in your throat and how you can manage this symptom.

A few conditions can cause a tight feeling in your throat.

Is my throat tight or is it anxiety?

Other contributing factors – If you happen to have a condition that affects your throat, such as allergies, tonsillitis, the common cold, acid reflux, or GERD, anxiety can make your sore throat and other throat symptoms worse. In moments of high stress, there are steps you can take to calm your anxiety :

Focus on breathing slowly and deeply. Breathe in through your nose and allow your lungs to fill completely. Breathe out slowly through your mouth. You can do this anywhere at any time. If possible, it may help to find a quiet, comfortable place to sit and close your eyes while you breathe deeply. Take a walk. Get outside and take a walk, paying attention to your stride and your surroundings rather than the things that make you anxious. Listen to or play music. Let your favorite music or soundtrack take you away. Or spend a few minutes playing a musical instrument. Focus on a favorite activity. Distract yourself by playing a game, doing a puzzle, reading, watching something that makes you laugh, or indulging in your favorite hobby. Talk to a friend. Reach out to a friend or family member. If you can’t talk to them in person, call or message them. If too many things are coming at you at once, unplug. Carve out some quiet time by turning off your phone and other gadgets. Even 15 minutes of quiet time may be enough to help you destress and feel calmer. Journal your thoughts. During times of stress or anxiety, writing may help you sort through your emotions.

In the longer term, there are some lifestyle tweaks that may help you manage and reduce feelings of anxiety and stress :

Get regular exercise. This doesn’t mean training for a marathon or powerlifting at the gym. Even a brisk 10-minute walk, some simple stretches, or a short session of yoga can help calm your stressed nerves. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Try to avoid using food for comfort. Limit your intake of sugary, fatty foods, and focus on healthy foods that can fuel you with the nutrients your body needs. Avoid alcohol and tobacco. Drinking alcohol or smoking a cigarette may calm you at first, but your feelings of anxiety may return with a vengeance once the effect has worn off. Becoming dependent on alcohol or tobacco can add to your stress and anxiety. Cut back on caffeine. High doses of caffeine can increase your anxiety and even leave you feeling jittery. If you feel anxious after drinking coffee, tea, or energy drinks, consider cutting back or opting for decaffeinated beverages. Make sure you’re getting adequate sleep. A lack of sleep can exacerbate feelings of anxiety. Try to create a relaxing bedtime routine, switch off devices and electronics at least an hour before bed, and keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Learn to meditate. The goal of meditation is to replace chaotic thoughts in your mind with a sense of calm by focusing on the present moment. Research has shown that it’s a highly effective tool for stress reduction. Try breathing exercises. Doing specific breathing exercises can help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with anxiety and stress. Visualize your happy place. Painting a picture in your mind of a place that makes you feel relaxed and happy may help calm your brain and body. Maintain social connections. Research has shown that having good social support can help get you through stressful times and lower your risk of anxiety.

It’ll likely take practice, but you may be able to stop a sore throat from developing. Here are some pointers to keep in mind at the first sign of anxiety:

Are you breathing through your mouth? Try to control your breathing by taking long, deep breaths in through your nose and out your mouth. Is your mouth dry? Have a cup of decaffeinated tea or a glass of water. Or try gargling with warm salt water. Are your muscles tight? Try deep-breathing exercises, stretches, meditation, or yoga to quiet your mind and calm your body. Do you have an anxious cough? Try a soothing cough drop or a spoonful of honey in a glass of warm water.

Occasional anxiety due to stress isn’t unusual and doesn’t require a visit to your doctor, especially if you don’t have other symptoms. However, do see your doctor if:

You frequently feel overly stressed or think you’re having anxiety attacks,Anxiety is interfering with your ability to function or go about your daily life.You have physical symptoms that concern you.

Remember, it’s possible to have anxiety and a sore throat that’s caused by something else. If you’re concerned about your sore throat and think it may be due to a condition other than anxiety, it’s worth getting a diagnosis so you can start any necessary treatment.

1. Anxiety can cause many physical symptoms, including a sore throat.
2. When you feel anxious, your body releases adrenaline and cortisol.
3. Besides causing your heart rate and blood pressure to increase, these hormones can also cause you to take rapid, shallow breaths through your mouth.
4. Your muscles can also tense up.

This can lead to a sore or tight throat. Your sore throat may not be anxiety-related if it continues to be sore once you feel calmer. Also, it may not be due to anxiety if you have other symptoms like nasal congestion, fever, a cough, body aches, or swollen tonsils.

Why does my throat suddenly close?

4 min read Laryngospasm is a rare but frightening experience. When it happens, the vocal cords suddenly seize up or close when taking in a breath, blocking the flow of air into the lungs, People with this condition may be awakened from a sound sleep and find themselves momentarily unable to speak or breathe.

• Though it can be scary while it’s happening, laryngospasm typically goes away within a couple of minutes.
• Laryngospasm may be associated with different triggers, such as asthma, allergies, exercise, irritants (smoke, dust, fumes), stress, anxiety or commonly gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.
• GERD is a condition that occurs when the ring-like muscle that normally closes to keep the stomach ‘s contents from backing up doesn’t work right.

With reflux, harsh acids from the stomach rise up into the esophagus and cause irritation. Regular exposure to stomach acids can damage and inflame the delicate lining of the esophagus. This damage can lead to momentary spasms of the vocal cords, which close the airway and prevent air and oxygen from getting into the lungs,

• When stomach acids reach the larynx, the condition is called laryngopharyngeal reflux or LPR.
• The tissues of the larynx are even more delicate and prone to injury than the esophagus.
• Coughs from a cold can push more acid into the larynx, so a recent or current upper respiratory infection may increase the likelihood of developing laryngospasm.

Laryngospasm may also be a complication of surgery. Anesthesia used during the surgery can irritate the vocal cords, especially in children. Laryngospasm caused by anesthesia can be life-threatening. When laryngospasm occurs, people describe the sensation of choking and are unable to breathe or speak.

1. Sometimes, the episodes occur in the middle of the night.
2. A person may suddenly awaken feeling as though they are suffocating.
3. This condition is called sleep -related laryngospasm.
4. It also is often related to GERD.
5. Some people will actually lose consciousness during these episodes.
6. As the airways slowly open, the person will make a high-pitched breathing sound (called stridor).

The entire episode lasts only a minute or two before breathing returns to normal. But the experience can be terrifying. In addition to experiencing laryngospasm episodes, people with this condition will typically have symptoms of GERD, which include:

Chest pain Coughing Difficulty swallowingHeartburnHoarseness Nausea Sore throat or need to clear the throat

Experts say that in infants with GERD, laryngospasm might be involved in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). If GERD is the problem, treating the condition can help manage laryngospasm. Doctors often prescribe proton pump inhibitors such as Dexlansoprazole ( Dexilant ), Esomeprazole ( Nexium ), and Lansoprazole ( Prevacid ).

• These reduce the production of stomach acids, so that fluids from the stomach that do back up into the esophagus are less corrosive.
• Another option is prokinetic agents.
• These stimulate movement in the digestive tract to reduce the amount of acid available.
• Patients who don’t respond to these treatments may need surgery.

One surgical option is fundoplication, a procedure that wraps the upper part of the stomach (fundus) around the esophagus to prevent acids from backing up. Also, a ring of titanium beads can be placed around the outside of the lower esophagus. It strengthens the valve between the esophagus and stomach while still allowing food and liquids to pass through.

Avoid lying down for at least two hours after eating.Avoid common heartburn triggers, such as fruit and fruit juices, caffeine, fatty foods, and peppermint.Eat smaller meals, and stop eating two to three hours before bedtime,If you smoke, quit. Also, limit alcohol consumption.Raise the head of your bed a few inches by putting wood blocks under the bedpost.Avoid allergy triggers.

Breathing techniques including slow breathing and staying calm also may help. In children who develop laryngospasm as a complication of anesthesia during surgery, treatment usually involves moving the head and neck to open the airway. It also involves using a machine (continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP ) to deliver air directly into the airway.

When I lay down it feels like my throat is closing?

What is Sleep Apnea? – Obstructive Sleep Apnea is very common and affects millions of Americans. It is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses and closes during sleep. Sleep is fragmented and of poor quality.

• Loud snoring, snorting and periods of silence are typical symptoms of sleep apnea but are not always present, especially in children.
• Sleep Apnea is a serious, potentially life threatening condition that is far more common than generally understood.
• There are two types of sleep apnea: central and obstructive.

Central sleep apnea, which is less common, occurs when the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the breathing muscles to initiate respirations. Obstructive sleep apnea is far more common and occurs when air cannot flow into or out of the person’s nose or mouth, although efforts to breathe continue.

In a given night, the number of involuntary breathing pauses or “apneic events” may be as high as 20 to 30 or more per hour. These breathing pauses are almost always accompanied by snoring between apnea episodes, although not everyone who snores has this condition. Sleep apnea can also be characterized by choking sensations.

The frequent interruptions of deep, restorative sleep often lead to the early morning headaches and excessive daytime sleepiness. Early recognition and treatment of sleep apnea is important because it may be associated with irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.