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What Causes Heaviness In Throat And Choking Sensation While Sleeping On Back?

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Posted on Fri, 3 Jun 2016
Question: Hi, I am a 39 year old male. I am feeling some heaviness in my throat and also while sleeping on my back I almost get choked or a big snore/interruption in breathing after sometime. Also while doing a brush I cannot hold the paster foam for long time in my mouth as I got the feeling of throwing up.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Do you have any swallowing difficulty.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern
By your history and description, possibility of neck lesion is more. You are having positional variation with symptoms (more in lying down on back).
This also favors possibility of neck lesion more.
So please let me know
1. Have you ever undergone ENT doctor's consultation?
2. Do you have difficulty in swallowing?
3. Do you have obesity? (this is to rule out sleep apnea).
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (10 minutes later)
1. Have you ever undergone ENT doctor's consultation?
No
2. Do you have difficulty in swallowing?
No
3. Do you have obesity? (this is to rule out sleep apnea).
Little overweight (15 lbs)

Couple of months back I cut down on alcohol and started doing exercise, then I see some positive results. Snoring reduced a lot and I was able to sleep on my back. But lately I quit exercise and started drinking and it started happening again.

I guess I should resume to the healthy living to get over this problem.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, you should restart exercise and start healthy living practice.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion, your symptoms are mostly due to obesity.
Excess fat in the neck can cause gravity dependent obstruction on trachea when you lay down on your back.
This can cause all the symptoms you are facing.
So better to stop alcohol as soon as possible.
Do regular aerobic exercise like running, cycling, swimming etc.
Loose 15-20 lbs weight and stay fit.
Once excess fat is removed by weight loss, your symptoms will disappear by its own.
Don't worry, you will be alright.
Hope I have solved your query. If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Drkaushal85

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 15005 Questions

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What Causes Heaviness In Throat And Choking Sensation While Sleeping On Back?

Brief Answer: Do you have any swallowing difficulty. Detailed Answer: Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic. I can understand your concern By your history and description, possibility of neck lesion is more. You are having positional variation with symptoms (more in lying down on back). This also favors possibility of neck lesion more. So please let me know 1. Have you ever undergone ENT doctor's consultation? 2. Do you have difficulty in swallowing? 3. Do you have obesity? (this is to rule out sleep apnea). Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.