Coughing and losing breath

[jebj0928]

I have a situation that is starting to concern me.  It started a couple of years ago; but has become more and more frequent recently.  Usually, it happens during the night or first thing in the morning (when I first wake up).  I feel a sort of "tickle" in my throat and the impulse is to cough.  However, I have learned that if I cough, I completely lose my breath - then I spend the next several seconds (seems like minutes) gasping and trying to catch my breath.  Once I catch my breath, everything is fine.  The first time this happened (a couple of years ago), I just passed it off as that I had probably gotten "choked" on saliva or something during my sleep.  It didn't happen again for a long time.  Eventually though, it did happen again -- and again -- and again.  It has started to happen more frequently now (at least once a week or so).  I have learned to recognize that "tickle" and to try to NOT cough.  If I sit up and swallow real big a couple of times, I can usually relieve the tickle without coughing (and thus losing my breath).  The problem is, of course, when I am asleep, or just woke up, I don't always have enough wits about me to remember to do that before the natural impulse to cough takes over.  Have you ever heard of this before?  Is it something serious?  By the way, I am a 42 year old male -- and I as I stated before, this started about 2 years ago.  Thanks.

[National Jewish]

One possible source of the “tickle” in your throat and the impulse to cough could be postnasal drip.  This is drainage from the nose and sinuses dripping down the back of the throat.  This would explain the way you feel during the night or first thing in the morning.  Talk with your doctor to know if this is a problem for you.  A nasal wash helps remove mucus from your nose and sinuses.  It is most helpful when done daily before using any nasal spray.  A prescription nasal steroid spray decreases mucus production by decreasing the inflammation of the nose and sinuses.  This may prevent the postnasal drip.  A nasal steroid spray does not provide immediate relief of symptoms.  It may need to be used every day for several weeks to months for it to help.  Please read our Nasal Wash MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/nasal.html for more information about this technique.  Share this information with your doctor to see if you would benefit from this daily treatment.

Another possible source of the “tickle” in your throat and the impulse to cough could be gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).  This is the back flow of stomach contents, including digestive juices, into the esophagus or food tube.  This is most commonly called acid reflux or heartburn.  This reflux can come all the way up into the mouth and nose.  When this happens the material can be aspirated, dribbling into the windpipe and lungs.  This could explain your symptoms.

GERD can cause the following symptoms:
· Heartburn or a sour taste in the mouth;
· Pain occurring in the middle of the chest;
· Coughing and/or choking while lying down;
· Increased trouble breathing while asleep; and
· Even no symptoms at all.  This is called “silent reflux” and it is common.

You will need to check with your doctor to know for sure what is causing your symptoms.  A pH probe is the best test to find out if you truly have GERD.  This test measures the acid in your esophagus to see if digestive juices are coming up from your stomach.  Please read our Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/reflux.html for more information about things to do to lessen GERD.  A gastroenterologist is the type of specialist to let you know if further testing is needed to identify GERD and the best treatment.

[BrianT]

That sounds exactly like me. Doctors said all kinds of stuff without even knowing or listening to me or my symptoms at the emergency room. So far I have heard an inflamated trachea, whooping cough, throat infection... but I could tell they did not take it seriously. Take a Prednizone for three days and once they prescribed antibiotics for 7 days.

Jeb... when you say you lose your breath, is it as if your windpipe just closes without letting in any air? Thats what it does to me. Scarry as hell.... feels like minutes. Not one ounce of air and then bang! it opens back up but with a somewhat restrictive feeling. Happens at night and even a few times outside in the cold when I coughed real hard or sneezed. Have been sleeping sitting up for a month and a half....scared to cough...hehehe...

Any responses elsewhere? So far besides what is mentioned above I have read a bit on post nasal drip or apnea.

Thanks