What Causes Choking Sensation In Throat In A GERD Patient?

Posted on Thu, 21 Apr 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 Answered on

Fri, 10 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : hello doctor I have a choking sensation in my throat. it feels like my wind pipe is closing over. I suffer from GERD and I have esophagitis. I've never had these symptoms before. can you give me some advice please. I have schizophrenia and high blood pressure. both are under control with medication

Answered by Dr. Deepak (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Signs of mild aspiration.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Welcome to HCM.
Thank you for the query.
I can understand your concern.

This could be due to aspiration of gastric content into wind pipe causing laryngospasm(closing sensation of throat).
If you are experiencing severe laryngospasm , you need to rush to ER now itself. You may require Hydrocort injection to prevent further exaggeration of symptoms. Depending on the severity they may opt for brochoscopic treatment which is both diagnostic and therapeutic.
If symptoms are not severe, then I would suggest you to wait and watch.
Also I would suggest you to take antacid treatment like Tab Omeprazole 20mg, one tab daily before breakfast for 2-4 weeks.

Hope this helps.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak

Follow up: Dr. Deepak (7 minutes later)

thanks doctor. I'm already on omeprazole. the sensation is very scary, but im able to breath OK.I will give it a few days and try to stay calm. if it gets any worse then I will go to hospital. thanks for the advice

Answered by Dr. Deepak (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You can wait and watch.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Welcome back.

I'm sure you are experiencing mild form of laryngeal irritation because sever form can cause complete laryngospasm. Patient can not breath and usually they collapse. It requires emergency intubation.
But luckily it has not happened in your case. So you can wait and watch.

If there is cough you can take Ascoril-D syrup temporarily for cough suppression.
But if symptoms worsen you should go to ER. But I don't think you will need such drastic steps. It will take some time to improve. Do not worry.

Hope you recover soon.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak