spitting during sleep?

[mela36]

Over the past few years, I noticed I started to literally spit in my sleep. I usually always drool, but this is not drooling. I literally will hawk back and spit in my sleep, sometimes more than once, and it isn't until afterwards that I know I did but by then I am half asleep and don't think or do anything of it instead I roll back over and go to bed. I never thought about it too much but I decided to ask because I googled it and couldn't find anything on the matter, aside from infants and children spitting up.

Does anyone else do this? Is it something I should be worried about?

[Enoch Choi, MD]

Many people do different things in the middle of their sleep.  Spitting isn't as much a concern as much as the reason for feeling the need to spit.  If it's from a feeling of being unable to breathe, that could be from sleep apnea which can be evaluated by a sleep study

[sleepspitter]

THIS SAME THING HAPPENS TO ME!  Only I don't hawk, I just spit.  It's very strange.  This morning I woke up from spitting, and I was like, "Did I just spit!?! Then I looked ALL OVER my bed for it, and it was IN MY HAIR!  So just know that you are not alone. Peace.

[mela36]

thank god im not the only one! isn't it crazy when you wake up and ask yourself "did i really just spit? did i really just do that??" its so bizarre...i wonder where it comes from.

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hi.

I suggest you consult a sleep specialist to improve your sleep quality. There probably is an imbalance in the REM and NREM stages.

DrAbhijeetMD

[net65]

I have been suffering from hypersalivation (especially at night) since fall of 2006.  

I have had so many tests (GI & ENT) with no positive results.  The GI finally gave up - in writing!  

This is so bizarre and so many people can tell me about drooling but not specifically about hypersalivation (espcially at night).  This is literally sitting up to spit every single night and very often.  I am so tired.

Hoping for answers.

[floridagirl317]

LOL!  I thought I was the only one as well.  This has happened to me maybe 3 times in the past 3 or 4 years.  It always happens when I'm between sleep and being awake.  It's like I'm dreaming that I'm spitting and so I do it and then wake up thinking "Oh my God!!!  Did I seriously just do what I think I did!?!"  I decided to look it up today because I thought maybe it could have some correlation with eating (something you shouldn't be eating)  maybe like being lactose intolerant and continuing to eat milk products?  Is that too far fetched?

[Suri123]

Hi mela36 and floridagirl317, how are you doing? It seems bit strange that you spit while sleeping and could be just a sleep habit as most of people do not get disturbed in their sleep even if it is an unusual event. Can you ask any of your family members to observe for any other abnormal behavior leading to spitting up? Also a chronic dry throat can cause irritation and raw sensation making you to clear your throat or a postnasal drip due to sinus infection. It is better to see a sleep doctor and a ENT doctor and get evaluated. Share your thoughts. Take care.

[Meg1000]

Is it mostly women or men who spit whilst sleeping?  "I wonder if it is related to suppressed sexual abuse memories???  Just a thought...  Not that boys don't endure abuse...