Tuesday, January 11, 2011 DANNY asks

Q: Gagging

I do on occasion feel anxious but not all the time. I love boxing but seem to constantly gag when exhaling sharply for a long period of time when Im punching and shadow boxing. It doesnt happen right away but does after an extended time. It also happens whether I have a mouth piece on or not. I noticed it started happening a few months after smoking cigarettes (3 years) but I have recently quit smoking for alil over a month now, going on two months. Ive been trying the electronic e cigarttes and found that they dont make me gag. But when I begin shadow boxing the feeling to gag is still present. I dont believe it is anxiety based because it happens when Im alone and when in a great mood. Do you have any idea why this is? I dont know If Im tensing my throat or maybe my uvulva is hitting the back of my throat when I exhale. Ive been to a doctor and she says theres nothing wrong with my uvulva or thyroid and doesn't know why this happens. The gagging only occurs when Im exercising (shadow boxing, sparring) and breathing vigourously for an extended period of time.

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Answers (2)

Eileen Bailey, Health Guide

1/12/11 4:24pm

Danny

Thank you for your question.

I am not a medical professional and would not be able to give you medical advice.

It is good that you contacted your doctor and I am glad there is nothing physical causing this. Sometimes people with anxiety do feel as if they have a lump in their throat and that can make them feel like they are gagging. But from what you have said, this doesn't sound the same.

I would not know what this is. You might try speaking with an Ear Nose and Throat specialist to see if they have any answers.

Eileen

Merely Me, Health Guide

1/13/11 6:01pm

Hi Danny

I am sorry I did not respond to your letter until now. I am glad you have posted this publicly so that you can get more responses.

Have you read my article about gagging? I am not a doctor but when you talk about your symptoms I am wondering if this has to do with your breathing or when you say you exert yourself. I would suggest that you create a log of when this happens and under which conditions...does it happen when you exert yourself in other ways such as running or other types of exercise? Take this log with you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist to rule out any medical problems there. Anxiety can cause this reaction but it seems that you are not feeling anxious when this happens.

I wish you the best of luck and hope you discover the cause. Let us know what happens.

DANNY

1/13/11 9:09pm

Thank you for your help...Ive realized that I think Im just tensing my throat when exhaling which is causing a gag reflex. When I keep my throat open, the gagging ceases but I have to make a conscious effort to do so. Ive always had a tough time swallowing pills,like medication and/or aspirin because I would always tense my throat. I think I became used to this when I started gagging from smoking cigarettes, in which case I would tense my throat when I felt the smoke in my throat. I believe it is simply a mental issue formed by habit, in which case I'm beginning to overcome through a conscious effort in keeping my throat open. Im sorry for wasting your time thinking there something wrong with me physically or emotionally.

Q: Gagging

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