Nightime choking attack

[slhrs1216]

My husband wakes up during the night choking and stands up quickly coughing, choking, trying to clear his lungs and it appears to be rather serious.  What might this condition be called and how serious is it?

[country mom]

I can appreciate what your husband is going through. I had my gall bladder out last May and was also treated for H. Pylori. I also have a sliding hiatal hernia. I have episodes of choking at night and not being able to get my breath-unfortunately I am so sleepy when it happens that I'm not sure what the problem is. Some nights are better than others and it doesn't happen all of the time. I don't detect acid. My stomach seems to get better for a while and I have tried to quit Prevacid only to have trouble again within short time. Stomach feels raw. Not sure what course to follow. It is frustrating. My G.I. Dr. had suggested Ph motility test if troubles continued-don't know what it will indicate.

[babychloe]

A related discussion, gerd was started.

[babupeter]

A related discussion, burping was started.

[Concerned lady]

I agree with everyone's comments!

These nighttime choking attacks sound like possible VCD (Vocal Cord Dysfunction) attacks, also called Laryngospasm. GERD is a very common cause of VCD/laryngospasms!

I have a website all about this (VCD/laryngospasm), and it includes some "gastric reflux tips" that helped my husband and me, to stop having these nighttime choking attacks.

Here's a link to the home page of my website, which is called, "Can't Breathe? Suspect Vocal Cord Dysfunction!": http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

Look on page 10 for the "gastric reflux tips" (for adults & children).

Also, look at page 4, 5 & 3. Page 4 tells how to stop each VCD attack right away. Page 5 & 3 describe underlying causes of VCD, so people can get rid of the causes (or, avoid, lessen or gently treat the underlying causes) of the VCD/laryngospasm attacks.

Sincerely, Concerned lady

[schaeff]

His physician should also be asked about sleep apnea.

[nadia]

Is he choking on acid?  Or is he getting short of breath?  I was choking this way last year.  It is very scary when it happens.  My problem was acid backing up into the esophagus.  There are triggers that cause it.  Especially acidic foods.  An acid blocker does stop this from happening but there are several conditions that can cause this. Mine stopped after I took out my gallbladder.
If it is shortness of breath, it could be a cardio pulmonary condition.

[JackieG]

It could be something called aspiration, where acid reflux backs up in to the esophagus, and actually gets high enough in the throat to get into the windpipe.

You need to confirm the cause first, and I would start by having your family doctor refer your husband to a gastroenterologist, who can run tests to see if reflux is the problem. The docs will also be able to suggest a host of dietary and lifestyle changes to deal with reflux, if that is the problem. If they fail, there are medications that will help.

good luck,
Chicken Soup