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benign throat clearing tic

My daughter is 31/2 years old.  About a month ago, she developed what her pediatrician calls a benign tic.  He checked her out and decided it wasn't an allergy or a breathing problem.  Sometimes it sounds like she's clearing her throat loudly, other times it sounds like a loud hiccup - which is what lead me to believe she might be having a breathing problem.  I do believe she does this involuntarily because she is not interrupted when she is talking and when she sleeps at night, she is silent the entire night - I know this because I slept in the same room with her for two weeks.  Also, she didn't make the sound when the pediatrician was checking her, which he said convinced him more that it was a tic.  Her pediatrician says it could last a few weeks to 6 months.  He also said that it could be form of terets syndrome but that can't be diagnosed until she's at least six.  I'm starting to get use to the sound she makes, but it definitely attracts attention when we are in public, which reminds me how "unusual" the sound she makes is.

I want to make sure I'm not overlooking anything.  Should I have her looked at by a pediatric neurologist?  Or should I just let it run it's course, although I'm getting quite tired of strangers and friends "suggestions" as to what it is and what I should do.

Please advise!
Thanks.....


This discussion is related to neurological ticks.
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Avatar universal
I used to have that and sometimes Im still doing it (its rare). I'm 46 and I remember when I was in a dormitory room in high school, a girl noted that I was doing that. We do that without noticing it. I note that I'm doing that for different reasons, maybe it's also a habit. It's also because of post nasal dripping. I'm big allergic woman too (sorry for my english), was rubbing my eyes and nose a lot when i was younger. Maybe something was/ is bothering me too, some people talk about infection too,  maybe there is a little infection that bother us too. It can be also because of post nasal dripping, To know if there is post nasal dripping, tell the person to do it longer and note if there is deglutition after. If there is deglutition, that does mean that this person has some dripping without noticing it.
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Avatar universal
My daughter was 3 1/2 when she started throat clearing with a little hmm as she finished the throat clearing. She wold always seem confused when I asked why she was doing it and I became suspicious it was a medical problem strep tonsils ect.... At around 4 her doc didnt think it was a big deal after having seen an ent.with no diagnosis. Doc said it could be a bad habit like biting nails or twirling hair. And the more negative attention I drew to the behavior the more likely it would have a negative impact on her and last longer or ever go away. So I assumed that it just was up to her to quit when she was ready. She is almost 9 and it has tapered off a lot the past 2 years. So funny I came across this thread bc I was just thinking to myself a few weeks ago how it seems to of disappeared. But im No professional and I kno all kids/situations are different. As long as doc says its not a medical condition that doesnt need fixed why try and change a behavior that isnt bad. It could also be a calming thing for some children or as feeling they have control over something.
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Avatar universal
My daughter, who is  3 1/2, did something similar (clear throat, sniff, swallow) for more than 6 months, sometimes several times a minute. We did food allergy testing, eliminated different foods from her diet, and tried OTC medications with no luck. After reading this thread and some  articles about vocal tics, I realized we might be on the wrong track. Scientific articles indicated that replacing the behavior (with professional assistance) might help, so I gently encouraged her to replace the throat clearing with deep breathing and after a couple of weeks she only does the throat clearing a couple times per day.
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189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
   You do want to make sure that it is not a post nasal drip.  Do an over the counter decongestant spray for two days and see if it stops.   Or try a decongestant pill.
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Avatar universal
No-one has written since January this year..is anyone out there with a child who is throat clearing constantly.  Any solutions found ?  I'm about to give my child magnesium vitamins and try almond milk as some have previously suggested. any better ideas -?
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Avatar universal
I used to obsessively clear my throat when I was younger, around 5-7 I think (I'm now 31). My parents took me to a doctor (don't know what kind) that wrapped an ace bandage in a figure eight shape around one arm then across my back and around the other arm then across the front  and back around the other arm and so on til the whole ace bandage was wrapped in a figure eight between my arms. I'm not sure exactly how this was meant to stop the obsessive behavior, though I did end up eventually stopping it. I'm not sure if the bandage wrapping helped to stop it or I grew out of it or it stopped for some other reason, but I seem to remember it stopping not too long after the ace bandage wrapping, so perhaps it was effective, though I would love to find out the reasoning behind it. My brother also wore one, not sure if it was for the same obsessive behavior or a different one. I'll try asking him or my dad what they know about it. I only am posting this now because just recently the obsessive throat clearing has started again (though only when I do certain drugs -- the uppers kind). So it's usually just during those time, but it seems a lot worse than when I was younger. I sometimes will spend 30 seconds just clearing my throat and swallowing and I can only stop when I feel a sort of roughness from the sides of my throat rubbing. So I can be clearing my throat and stretching my neck trying to create that rough rubbing feeling quite a lot of times until I get that rough  feeling that lets me stop. It's really hard to explain, especially to someone who doesn't have any obsessive tics, but it's totally obsessive and sometimes I'll be mid-sentence and then have to stop and clear my throat for 30 seconds before I can finish my sentence. And I just can't stop doing it until I get that feeling, as much as I want to. It's incredibly annoying and so I was looking for any info about ways to stop the behavior when I came across this message board and heard so many parents fretting about their child's throat clearing and thought to share my own experiences. If anyone knows any ways of stopping it, I'd love to hear any suggestions. Though my first thing to try is quitting the drugs that seem to bring it on. I'm thinking to try the ace bandage thing again just to see if it has any effect now too.
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1 Comments
I have had this throat clearing since I was 11 years old , I CV am 64 now. I will not do it if I don't drink milk or chocolate and peanuts. Seems there is no problem with it. I used to get myself in to trouble because of it. But have discovered retain foods cause it. Hope this helps.
189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
Yes, please do let us know what is happening.  Thankyou for sharing!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi ,I have enjoyed reading all of this information same here a mother worried I have  a 5yr old son whose constant clearing his throat and grunting sounds he have had his tonsils and annoids removed he has a speech motor skills delay and with school starting next week I'm baffled to where this came from over the summer but I have schedule apt at Plano childrens medical center with the ENT doctor to see if Xray can done to make sure there's nothing going with his breathing. I will report back in the meantime monitor your kids closely good luck to all
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Avatar universal
My son is 5yrs old and is constantly throat clearing...at some points it was accompanied by a jerk forward before clearing.  Now its clearing and its sometimes every second.  Driving me and his teacher crazy.  He also has some anxiety, sensory issues, OCD like issues....but the Dr said its likely transient tic disorder (he had a repetitive blinking when he was 2yrs).  He was on Miralax for Constipation both times so I thought maybe it was related to that.  But after being off of Miralax several weeks, the issue persists.  He has an enlarged tonsil but his Pediatrician and Quick Care Dr. aren't concerned and says tics can last up to 4mos.  I am giving allergy meds in case there is drainage in the back of his throat...Think I'll try the "tic tamer" off of Amazon.  Thanks for the advice!
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Avatar universal
Im going through the same thing right now and Im hoping to find answers soon. My 5 year old son is constantly clearing his throat really loud for about 5-6 months now. he says he can't help it and would get really upset has he couldnt control it. People are always wondering what that annoying sound is and some people even laugh. Dr says it was probably a tic. I took him to nose and throat Dr and everything was fine. I need to get him tested for allergies andtake him to the therapist. I feel everyones frustration as not knowing the answer as us parents just want a solution to the problem and so we are at peace that it's nothing major.
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Avatar universal
I see no one has posted on this since March. I would like any feed back from any of you moms , dads, guardian's ? I have A.D.D. Now as an adult , I have had ADHD all through my child and teen years. My daughter's biological dad has mild /moderate OCD. All seems to factor in any neurological disorder  that we may be seeing here with my daughter. Doctor after Doctor, now the child psychologists .( It's so frustrating to have to see my exceptionally bright, daughter  IQ ranges testing genius levels for her age group. ) going through these tics so far just limited to the throat clearing and now the recent hum... Hmmm... Hmmm. Then back to throat clearing. I'm looking for feed back:( I'm one sad , Stay at home mommy:)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I see no one has posted on this since March. I would like any feed back from any of you moms , dads, guardian's ? I have A.D.D. Now as an adult , I have had ADHD all through my child and teen years. My daughter's biological dad has mild /moderate OCD. All seems to factor in any neurological disorder  that we may be seeing here with my daughter. Doctor after Doctor, now the child psychologists .( It's so frustrating to have to see my exceptionally bright, daughter  IQ ranges testing genius levels for her age group. ) going through these tics so far just limited to the throat clearing and now the recent hum... Hmmm... Hmmm. Then back to throat clearing. I'm looking for feed back:( I'm one sad , Stay at home mommy:)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Same issue I am another mom with no answers:( my 5 year old daughter has the constant throat clearing. I have noticed and now her teachers as well she will do repotition humming noises , usually when she is relaxed. We have ruled out allergies. I have no answers:(
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
my 4 yr old just started about two weeks ago with tics, he will raise his arms then put them down then continue to clear his throat. he will do this multiple times. his preschool teachers noticed too and  thought it may be nervous tick.  my son is a special needs child. my son is a year behind, he has speech/motor skill delays. we plan on making dr. apt. to find out what is going on with our son.   i do hope it passes.
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973741 tn?1342342773
By the way, when esophageal cancer is a concern with a child, it is often due to acid reflux problems that were not treated.  Has your child had chronic complaints about reflux issues?  

Try not to worry.  You can have that checked out to rule it out but doubt this is the reason.  good luck
Helpful - 0
973741 tn?1342342773
Oh no no.  I sincerely doubt that your 7 year old has esphogeal cancer.  

Much more likely to be either his trying to regulate his nervous system or he has developed the tic due to stress.  And yes, sure.  it could be legitimate throat clearing due to allergies.

My son does a sound similar now and it is sensory/anxiety related.  We are begining to address this.  

but try not to worry about things like cancers that are very rare in children!  good luck
Helpful - 0
4929798 tn?1361164085
My 7 year old started this throat clearing thing, I have asked him repeatedly if his throat hurt or was bothering him and he always says no. My dad noticed it tonight and told me I should have it checked, someone he knows had the same thing and it wound up being esophageal cancer..Now i am freaking out! alot of what I read sounds like it could possibly be it..stress, habit, tic, allergy, sinus..I plan on making a doctor appointment tomorrow but I don't think I can sleep tonight :(
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Avatar universal
That is great.  Just wondering if all is good, why wouldn't you give the doctor's name or some place for other parents to go to...
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Avatar universal
Hi everyone. My son is 41/2 and I'm noticing that when he's relaxed he's starting to make a slight grunting like noise everytime he breathes out and it has me worried. He says he can't help it when I ask him why he's doing it. He also is showing signs of OCD (like his shoe laces and clothes need to be tied and fitted a certain way). Any feedback would be appreciated!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Heads-up on OCD:  a 'disorder' (per the DSM) is not a "condition", just a label for a group of symptoms.  So don't get concerned if your throat-clearing is labeled OCD.  The psych folks aren't saying that you have some underlying condition which causes throat-clearing, they're just saying "yes, you clear your throat a lot ... the fancy term for that is an obsessive compulsion."  They can't legally charge you for their time unless they give you a diagnosis, so if you go to see a psychologist or psychiatrist, they *must* describe your identified symptoms "e.g. I clear my throat all the time" using a standard term, in this case OCD.
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Avatar universal
curious about your son, what happened?  My son is 5 1/2 and that exact thing is going on.  He too gets upset when we ask him about it.

Any answers would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Worried mom
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Avatar universal
Hi, please could you tell me which antibiotic and steriod your child was prescribed. I would love to think there is some medication that could help. thanks in advance.
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Avatar universal
TRY ALMOND MILK EVERY DAY!! The magnesium in this milk can make all the difference:)  It solved our problem COMPLETELY after 1 year and a half of going through the throat clearing with our daughter.  I would love to hear updates if this works for others!
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Avatar universal
My 11 year old son has been having problems with throat clearing and making noises in his throat when eating.  His began last fall after a throat infection.  He had repeated tonsillitis over the next few months and the throat noises were constant.  We had his tonsils out in December and the throat clearing and noises stopped instantly.  

He then got sick and had a sore throat at the end of Feb and within a couple weeks started clearing his throat again and making noises when he eats (almost like a growling sound).  This is not something he can control and I'm sure it is a tic behavior, but we have not been able to completely figure it out.  He is on antibiotics because we did find Strep in his gut and he also started having joint pains and eye inflammation after getting sick.  My younger son has a disorder called PANDAS and it is caused by strep antibodies attacking his brain and causes neurological problems.  My 7 year old son has been diagnosed by neurologists and pediatricians with everything from ADHD, severe Anxiety, Epilepsy, OCD, Tourrettes and ODD.  His symptoms and diagnosis' kept changing and I was told to treat him with medications and accept it....I didn't.  We waited 4 months and met with a specialist in January and after treating him with antibiotics and steroids my sons tics are gone.  His OCS and ADHD are gone, his anxiety is reduced, his bedwetting has stopped, his behaviors and emotions are better.  Infections can cause neurological problems and tics, but it is really hard to find a Dr. who believes this and knows how to treat it.  My son had multiple tics (eye blinking, sniffing, throat clearing, tongue clicking and licking) and OCD habits like chewing.  These are all completely gone and he has had no seizures since doing the steroid treatment.  
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