Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Could Cause Intermittent Breathlessness During Episodes Of Irritation In The Throat?
Question: When my throat get irritated/triggered by something (strong vinegar, phlegm, dry throat) my throat and lungs seem to seize and I cannot take a breath in. I can only breath out a little and then only breath in the amount I breathed out until my lungs loosens up . It's really terrifying and it has happened a hand full of times in the last couple of years. My mom has the same condition that was triggered by acid ref lux and seems not to happen since she started taking pepcid. Mine seems to have a variety of triggers.
Brief Answer:
Most probably not an organic problem in your body.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If your problem has happened so rarely that it is not something organic that you need to treat with medicine, because most probably it is something situational and you are a sensitive person from those triggers and that does not mean that you have a problem.
I would not recommend taking pepcid just for those episodes, which seem to happen quite rarely.
If those start happening almost every week and you have other symptoms like stomach pain, bad smell from the mouth, ect, then let me know and I will be happy to advice accordingly.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Most probably not an organic problem in your body.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If your problem has happened so rarely that it is not something organic that you need to treat with medicine, because most probably it is something situational and you are a sensitive person from those triggers and that does not mean that you have a problem.
I would not recommend taking pepcid just for those episodes, which seem to happen quite rarely.
If those start happening almost every week and you have other symptoms like stomach pain, bad smell from the mouth, ect, then let me know and I will be happy to advice accordingly.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
So what is happening to my throat/lungs that they seize up and I can’t breath. It is so bad I’m fearful I will pass out from suffocation.
Brief Answer:
Possible anxiety attack.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
What you describe it looks like an anxiety attack. It looks very typical. Especially if in the last 6 months has happened something stressful for you.
Of course this diagnosis is decided after having done all the tests and being examined while that episode happens to rule out other things. It seems very much like an anxiety attack but after labs and visit can com out other details which may lead us to other possible diagnosis.
Kind Regards,
Dr. Papaqako.
Possible anxiety attack.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
What you describe it looks like an anxiety attack. It looks very typical. Especially if in the last 6 months has happened something stressful for you.
Of course this diagnosis is decided after having done all the tests and being examined while that episode happens to rule out other things. It seems very much like an anxiety attack but after labs and visit can com out other details which may lead us to other possible diagnosis.
Kind Regards,
Dr. Papaqako.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
So when my throat gets aggravated by eating something extremely tangy, strong vinegar, or I accidentally breath in a little water in the shower, or I’m asleep and the dryness of the are or phlegm hits my throat while I’m sleeping is the result of anxiety? Really?
Brief Answer:
Most possible, but can be normal reflex, or other problems to be excluded
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I understand you are sceptical to this answer. As I said above, it seems to me the more possible diagnose, but in order to decide that other less possible problems should be ruled out.
Why I think anxiety? Because the food or drink go to stomach when they are swallowed. So they have no contact with the lungs, so there is no reason for the lungs to be affected and the breathing to stop.
Unless it happens sometimes that a small part of those foods or drinks go in the airways and because fluids or hard materials should not be in the lungs the body causes cough as a result until all these foreign materials are extracted from the lungs. It should not last more then 2-10 minutes and you should feel fine after. This is a normal reflex.
Also, sometimes happens that some people have more sensible reflex and as soon as it is activated it either lasts longer or gets activated with just a little bit of food or drinks going bad.
I hope I have answered your question.
Let me know if you have other questions or concerns.
Most possible, but can be normal reflex, or other problems to be excluded
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I understand you are sceptical to this answer. As I said above, it seems to me the more possible diagnose, but in order to decide that other less possible problems should be ruled out.
Why I think anxiety? Because the food or drink go to stomach when they are swallowed. So they have no contact with the lungs, so there is no reason for the lungs to be affected and the breathing to stop.
Unless it happens sometimes that a small part of those foods or drinks go in the airways and because fluids or hard materials should not be in the lungs the body causes cough as a result until all these foreign materials are extracted from the lungs. It should not last more then 2-10 minutes and you should feel fine after. This is a normal reflex.
Also, sometimes happens that some people have more sensible reflex and as soon as it is activated it either lasts longer or gets activated with just a little bit of food or drinks going bad.
I hope I have answered your question.
Let me know if you have other questions or concerns.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
