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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes The Throat To Close Up After Sneezing?

When I sneeze, I can not swallow for about five minutes. It is more scary than anything but this has just started in the last year and I am 59. I panic especially if I continue to sneeze for awhile. Is there any reason my throat would close up after sneezing (even if the sneeze is not due to a cold or sinus congestion)?
Thu, 25 Sep 2014
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ENT Specialist,  's  Response
Hi. In my opinion it seems that your throat goes into some sort of muscular spasm after a sneeze.

For the action of sneezing there is synchronised use of chest and neck (pharyngeal) muscles in order to bulid the pressure and force necessary to expel the allergens from the nose.
It is possible that due to some swelling because of the allergy in the throat may block the foodpioe leading to difficulty in swallowing for some time.

It can also be possible if there is muscular spasm due to potassium deficiency or neurological involvement. There may also be a mass lesion near the foodpipe leading to these symptoms.

It is recommended that you see your ENT specialist for a direct laryngoscopy to visualise the region and understand the cause of the swallowing difficulty. Treatment can be inutuated based on cause for the swallowing difficulty.

Hope this helps.
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What Causes The Throat To Close Up After Sneezing?

Hi. In my opinion it seems that your throat goes into some sort of muscular spasm after a sneeze. For the action of sneezing there is synchronised use of chest and neck (pharyngeal) muscles in order to bulid the pressure and force necessary to expel the allergens from the nose. It is possible that due to some swelling because of the allergy in the throat may block the foodpioe leading to difficulty in swallowing for some time. It can also be possible if there is muscular spasm due to potassium deficiency or neurological involvement. There may also be a mass lesion near the foodpipe leading to these symptoms. It is recommended that you see your ENT specialist for a direct laryngoscopy to visualise the region and understand the cause of the swallowing difficulty. Treatment can be inutuated based on cause for the swallowing difficulty. Hope this helps.