Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Rubbing sound/sensation in lower throat/upper chest

For the past four years, I've experienced a strange rubbing sound/sensation in my lower throat/upper chest area.  It occurs only whenever I twist my torso from side to side, such as when exercising, or quickly turning to the side via pivoting at the waist.  It feels & sounds like something is causing friction.  I cannot pinpoint where it is coming from, but it seems to be my lower throat/upper chest, somewhere around collarbone level.  It seems to be located within the windpipe or esophagus.  There's no pain, just a friction/rubbing sound and sensation.  The sound is especially audible if I open my mouth while twisting my torso.
Three years ago I saw my Dr about it and she ordered a chest CT scan, which was clear.  My concern is that the scan began at lung level and didn't cover my lower throat area, and that's where I think this is coming from.  I'm also concerned because since then, it has become much more pronounced...I used to only hear/feel it when I was rotating vigorously (like when doing aerobic workout), but now I hear/feel it whenever I'm simply doing daily activities and happen to turn or twist at the waist.  
Any thoughts on what this may be, or the cause?  
I have no sore throat or hoarseness or any other throat/esophagus symptoms.  I do have very occasional heartburn that responds easily to Zantac.  
Thank you very much.
241 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I first noticed this strange breathing/wheezing noise when rotating my upper torso, shortly after having thyroid surgery.  I had my thyroid, two parathyroid glands and several lymph nodes removed due to thyroid cancer (papilary). After the surgery I also had a strange involintary dry cough. This seemed to get better and almost go away after about 4 to 6 weeks and then when I had the radioactive iodine treatment the cough returned as did the breathing issue when twisting my upper body.  Some nights when I lay in bed I can here a soft wheezing/squeeking sound when I exhale. I had a CT scan after the radioactive iodine and they noticed a bit of smudging in the lungs so I am going to go for a repeat of the chest CT scan in two weeks.  I had a chest x-ray and nothing showed up.  I hope the cancer has not spread to my lungs.
Helpful - 0
1881560 tn?1320687692
Though I believe mine is allergy related~
Helpful - 0
1881560 tn?1320687692
Im an 18 year old female, And I've been experiencing about the same thing. I have hives and the same strange breathing issue. When it first started happening it would only occur when I would raise my arm over my opposite shoulder and twist slightly (as if itching my back) but recently I only have to turn at about a 30 degree turn from twisting at the hips and I feel a suction of air, and than when I turn back it feels like I'm breathing outwards. As though when I twist it causes my lungs to simultaneously intake air and push it back out.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Seriously, why are you on here? We're genuinely concerned. I'm 32 and like I said I work out every and never in my life (I'm 32) never once has this happened to me. All of a sudden I get up, take the kids to school, come home, start to work out and I hear this freaky noise. If you think we are retarded or hypochondriacs then so be it... Honestly I think you needed a few more hugs growing up.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Wow to all of you... I just noticed my issue today and literally stopped excercising and ran to google. I can't find much on it. I've never in my 32 years of life expire fed this. I was working out like every Monday morning and heard this weird sound coming out of me. It's like I'm breathing when I'm not.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi guys,

I too have had exactly the same problem, and firstly let me just reassure everyone on this discussion board that this issue is NOT SERIOUS.

I am an otherwise healthy 20 year-old male who has recently been diagnosed with gastritis (acid reflux or GERD). I visited the doctor when I noticed this strange noise and he had a very good explanation for me...

Gastritis/acid reflux causes inflammation of the stomach and oesophagus. This inflammation of the oesophaus is what is causing these strange 'breath-like' sounds. When you move/rotate your torso, the oesophagus rubs against the trachea (wind pipe). The friction between the two pipes is what causes the strange sounds coming out of your mouth.

When will it stop? The sound will stop when the inflammation goes down. This can happen over time without treatment in mild cases. In more severe reflux cases (such as mine), a month on acid-suppressants should do the trick. Either way, there's nothing to worry about.

Hopefully this reassures everyone, it certainly reassured me.

Take care guys,
Dan.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Undiagnosed Symptoms Community

Top General Health Answerers
363281 tn?1643235611
Nelson, New Zealand
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
19694731 tn?1482849837
AL
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.