What Causes Choking Sensation While Lying Down?

Posted on Sat, 24 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 24 Dec 2016 Answered on

Fri, 13 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : My father is choking while lying down. He has a congenital heart ASD. With that condition he had served in the military. He is 77 and retired now. He also had a thyroid condition for which he was taking eltroxin. This was recently stopped as per suggestions of another doctor ( we have recently moved ).

He is unable to sleep as he cant lie down - he has to sleep sitting up at an incline - this results in broken sleep and he is perpetually tired - till 2 months ago my father was an extremely active and fit person - he stopped taking eltroxin about 40 days ago. please advise.

we have done a checkup and his cholesterol is at 306. his bp was always a bit on the lower side but today is bp is at 150/90.

Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
An enlarged thyroid can cause choking.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear,

Thanks for posting your query on HCM.

Commonest cause of choking while lying down is an enlarged thyroid. Does he have an enlarged thyroid?

Another cause could be a post nasal drip or GERD. Anxiety can also cause this.

I hope all his tests were normal and he does not have a heart condition.

You should get an ultrasound examination of thyroid done and consult your local physician to look into all the above issues.

I hope this answers your query. If you have any more doubts, please post them and I'll be glad to answer them.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee