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Why Do I Wake Up Gasping For Air And Get A Blocked Feeling In Throat?

Posted on Mon, 3 Feb 2014

Question: Daily I travel to work by bus. It is more than an hour travel. I fall asleep during the journey. Most of the times (one in 5), I get up from the sleep gasping for air. It feels like some liquid is blocking my throat and takes couple of minutes cough to breath back normally. I experience this often while sleeping in a bus or car (sitting posture). Once in a while, i get up from bed also for the same reason. But, it happens more often, when i am in sitting posture.

Answered by Dr. Praveen (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: There can be due to frequent rhinitis Detailed Answer: Hi, Throat block is due to post nasal drip. Fluid from the back of your nose / sinuses drips down and reaches the throat leading to irritation and throat block. One of the most common cause is frequent nose infection (rhinitis) . How frequently do you have rhinitis? Do you snore on your bed? Do you have any sinus related issues? Keep me posted to help you better. Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Praveen (13 hours later)

I do not get any nose infection or sinus problems. I snore mildly.

Answered by Dr. Praveen (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer: There can be deviation of septum Detailed Answer: Thanks for writing back. From your description it seems that you must be having a deviated nasal septum. The secretions in the throat seem to be from post-nasal drip that is seen in deviated nasal septum. I suggest you to consult ENT specialist(otolaryingologist) and get examined. Discuss with him if it needs a surgical correction. I hope this should solve your problem. Thanks

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