I make a clucking sound when I sleep and it makes my throat hurt. what is it?

Hi Justin: It sounds like you have a type of snoring. Many people have breathing problems when they sleep, including apnea, which is a period of not breathing.

Research has shown that snoring and sleep apnea are connected with other health problems, including allergies, smoking, obesity, and ultimately can be connected with heart attack.  One survey of 5713 Italian residents identified habitual snoring in 24% of men and 13.8% of women, rising to 60% of men and 40% of women aged 60 to 65 years; this suggests an increased susceptibility to snoring as age increases.

Snoring is known to cause sleep deprivation to snorers and those around them, as well as daytime drowsiness, irritability, lack of focus and decreased libido. It has also been suggested that it can cause significant psychological and social damage to sufferers.  Multiple studies reveal a positive correlation between loud snoring and risk of heart attack (about +34% chance) and stroke (about +67% chance).

Almost all treatments for snoring revolve around clearing the blockage in the breathing passage. This is the reason snorers are advised to lose weight (to stop fat from pressing on the throat), stop smoking (smoking weakens and clogs the throat) or sleep on your side (to prevent the tongue from blocking the throat).

While family members are usually the ones to first identify strange sounds coming from your bedroom, only a sleep clinic can properly diagnose what is going on. Your local hospital may have a sleep diagnostic lab that will have you spend the night and find out what is really going on.  Contact your physician for a referral to a clinic.

I hope this helps,

Dr. Diana Walcutt

The Stress Masters

Dr. Walcutt is a Psychologist, not a Psychiatrist. Psychiatrists prescribe medications. Psychologists study them, but the majority of Psychologists are not authorized to prescribe meds or give you specific advice about them. Dr. Walcutt's answers are not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or mental disorder. Any information given in a post about medication is for educational purposes only, and primarily to aid you in having an informed discussion with your own Psychiatrist/Physician.

Thanks so much for your question Justin.  You may be intersted in reading the following posts/articles.  Hope this helps.

Understanding Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea Treatments

Snoring and Sleep Apnea - 1

Snoring and Sleep Apnea - 2

All the best, sue (moderator)