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Choking on saliva in sleep at night

I'm a 34 year old male in general good health.

I'm frequently waking with a gasp from my sleep after inhaling small amounts of saliva which trigger a cough and choking. The cough often lasts throughout the day.

I'm worried it will cause choking, or pneumomia, or dry-drowning. IOr that it will obstruct my breathing and cause me to die.

Are there any measures I can take to prevent it happening? (Pillows, diet etc) I'm on the NHS and unsure if they will explore this.

FL
Best Answer
1337001 tn?1276883841
Hi,

    Do you have any acid reflux problems? This is one condition where there will be retrograde flow of the gastric contents into the throat and it worsens in supine position. You can try these:

1. Consume your dinner at least 2 hours before you go to bed
2. Avoid alcohol, smoking, fizzy drinks, coffee and tea
3. Drink plenty of water
4. Try taking Proton pump inhibitors (like Omeprazole/Esomeprazole)
5. Try lying on your left side
6. Use a bigger pillow

If symptoms are improving please do consult your physician

Regards
OHNS2010
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Avatar universal
Thank you OHNS2010 - very helpful
Helpful - 0
1337001 tn?1276883841
Hi footylad,

Sometimes, it so happens that even when the patient is not having any of the above mentioned classical symptoms of GERD (Gaestro oesophageal reflux disease) they might be having something called as micro reflux. Any how there is no harm in trying these. If you still feel the symptoms are not subsiding please do consult your physician.

Regards
OHNS2010
Helpful - 0
1337001 tn?1276883841
GI means Gaestro Intestinal
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The Gastroenterology Forum.  Also can post in the Reflux/GERD Forum too.  
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Avatar universal
Can you explain GI?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You can also post in the GI forum too.  It definitely sounds like GERD/Reflux problems.  
Helpful - 0
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