HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Involuntary Swallowing During Sleep?

Diagnosed with TLE for 3 years but dont fit the the criteria for it. Starts with involuntary swallowing during sleep followed by odd turns following day with v. short durations. Has a psychic component /deja vu Not as intense as early days now. These turns happen once every 4-6 weeks for 1 day only...Neorologist washed his hands told me to return if symptoms worsen!
Thu, 30 Aug 2018
Report Abuse
Neurologist,  's  Response
Hi,

I'm not quite certain what you are saying with the phrase, "involuntary swallowing during sleep." Perhaps, you are using this instead of something like subconscious, automatic, reflex. As opposed to involuntary. Swallowing can be voluntary and REFLEX. Meaning not under direct conscious control. This happens both while being awake as well as being asleep. Therefore, everyone who has a normal swallowing reflex will perform swallowing "involuntarily" during sleep. That is normal. However, your neurologist is likely accurate in not looking to be actively aggressive with your symptoms since they are neither classic for TLE nor any other type of specific neurological syndrome (epileptic or otherwise). With incidents that occur on what appears to be a cycle of time which are transient (1 day in duration), it is more likely than not that they are driven by the psychological rather than organic/neurological phenomenon. If you've had the proper EEG and MRI studies of the brain and these are unremarkable then, I believe this is convincing evidence that there is no need for worrying about any type of epileptic or other neurological phenomena.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Involuntary Swallowing During Sleep?

Hi, I m not quite certain what you are saying with the phrase, involuntary swallowing during sleep. Perhaps, you are using this instead of something like subconscious, automatic, reflex. As opposed to involuntary. Swallowing can be voluntary and REFLEX. Meaning not under direct conscious control. This happens both while being awake as well as being asleep. Therefore, everyone who has a normal swallowing reflex will perform swallowing involuntarily during sleep. That is normal. However, your neurologist is likely accurate in not looking to be actively aggressive with your symptoms since they are neither classic for TLE nor any other type of specific neurological syndrome (epileptic or otherwise). With incidents that occur on what appears to be a cycle of time which are transient (1 day in duration), it is more likely than not that they are driven by the psychological rather than organic/neurological phenomenon. If you ve had the proper EEG and MRI studies of the brain and these are unremarkable then, I believe this is convincing evidence that there is no need for worrying about any type of epileptic or other neurological phenomena. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.