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What Causes Choking Sensation In Throat And Difficulty Breathing With Loss Of Consciousness?

Posted on Thu, 11 Sep 2014

Question: I am stressed to the XXXXXXX because of family situations, plus I am the sole caregiver of my elderly mom, she has Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and dementia, and i get no help. Two days ago out of nowhere my throat closed up all of a sudden, I chocked and could not breath, I tried very hard to inhale air but it would not get in, for quite a long time, I fainted and needed mouth to mouth, after that I was able to get a very small amount of air in me, but not quite enough to breath normally, slowly I began to get a little more air in and eventually was able to get one good breath of air in me, I coughed and coughed for quite a while, and I as I was getting up I felt a very sour taste come up from my stomach up to my mouth, very acid. My legs were shaky and could not walk, and since then my throat is very sore, and I have this horrible headache, my whole head hurts, I feel woozy and weak. What happened to me? Please help me understand, at present I am going through a very very stressful time in my life. I am 59, female, married,no kids.

Answered by Dr. Divakara (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Allergy or Arrythmias

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting your query.

It seems like you had a Anaphylactic shock. It is a severe form of allergic reaction

But what we need to know or find is why did you had anaphylactic shock ? It usually happens due to an allergic reaction to some medicine or food . So I need to know whether you had taken any medicine immediately before that event happened or had any unusual food like mushrooms seafood or non veg items.

One other possibility is it could be due to heart problem called Arrthymia. In this condition the heart rate becomes irregular causing giddiness sweating feeling choked followed by unconscious.

I advise you get a TMT test to look for any arrythmias. Also let me know whether you had any medicine or unusual food before that event.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Divakara (15 hours later)

Dear Doctor, I thank you for your answer, however I tend to think that because of the very high levels of stress I am experiencing over a period of a year and the intensity of it increasing, I feel that it is either psychosomatic based or stress induced with a high level of acidity in the system, my body shut down. I still have a terrible headache, from my throat up it hurts, my whole head, it feels like a tension headache, and I actually feel like my brain is inflammed from the strain of trying to inhale a little bit of air for such an extended period of time. My throat also burns from the sour acidity that came up right after I was able to get a little air in. Please advise, there was no food or pills taken.

Answered by Dr. Divakara (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Stress causing all this possible but less likely

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for the follow up.

Yes I agree with you that stress can induced body pains discomfort breathing difficulty chest pain etc but the kind of attack you had was too extreme to consider to be caused only by stress.
I am not ruling out stress as causative factor but what i am saying is get evaluated for other causes also. Since you said no pills or unusual food was taken anaphylactic shock is ruled out. Left is Arrhythmias which is still is good possibility. I advise you to get EKG Stress TMT test done.
As of your stress is concerned i can understand your situation. Try to manage stress . Start doing yoga or meditation . This will help a lot . If you still feel stressed out consult a psychiatrist for counseling and medication.

Any further clarification feel free to ask.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Divakara (23 minutes later)

Thank you Dr., I will follow your advise, and will try to manage the stress. I will also get an EKG stress test TMT test done right away. What am I looking for, is there like a scale or levels that I want to be below a certain number?

Answered by Dr. Divakara (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Query not clear.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Very sorry I am not understanding by what you meant by number below which you have to be .. Kindly clarify.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Divakara (33 hours later)

Hello Dr. What I mean is in terms of the EKG test TMT test, what are the normal scores for someone not stressed, and what would be a high score for someone under high levels of stress, in other words, in your opinion can you shed some light on this? Thank you

Answered by Dr. Divakara (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Criteria is same for both stressed and non stresse

Detailed Answer:
HI XXXXXXX

Thanks for the follow up

These test will detect if there is any structural or functional abnormality of heart . There are many parameters in these tests like Heart rate , PR interval QRS duration , ST segment etc . Except for heart rate none other is influenced by stress .

So an abnormality found in this test means there is actual problem in your heart whether you are stressed or not . SO the criteria to say some is sick with these tests remains same irrespective of stress levels .

Hope I have answered your query .
Any clarifications feel free to ask , Happy to answer .

If no clarifications kindly close the discussion and rate my answer .

Good Day .
Regards .

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj