Coughed after choking in the middle of the night while sleeping

Waking up in the middle of the night with coughing due to choking may be caused by physiological factors or pathological conditions, such as acute pharyngitis or reflux esophagitis. The specific analysis is as follows:

I. Physiological Factors

If the air quality in the sleeping environment is poor or the temperature is low, and the individual fails to keep warm adequately, it may irritate the respiratory tract, leading to coughing from choking during sleep. This is considered a normal phenomenon. It is recommended to regularly ventilate indoor spaces and maintain fresh air.

II. Pathological Factors

1. Acute Pharyngitis

This condition is primarily associated with viral infections. When pathogenic viruses invade the throat, they cause acute inflammation of the local mucosa. Inflammatory mediators spread via the bloodstream to surrounding tissues, resulting in symptoms such as dryness and a foreign-body sensation in the throat. At night, the vagus nerve is more active and has reduced inhibitory effects on local smooth muscles, which can trigger this condition. Patients are advised to take medications such as amoxicillin capsules or clarithromycin tablets under medical supervision.

2. Reflux Esophagitis

In patients with reflux esophagitis, when lying flat, gastric contents may flow back through the esophagus into the throat. The acidic components in these contents can stimulate throat muscles, causing contraction and resulting in the aforementioned symptoms. Patients may follow their doctor's instructions to use medications such as ilaprazole enteric-coated tablets or vonoprazan fumarate tablets.

Besides the above-mentioned causes, this symptom could also result from chronic pharyngitis, bronchial asthma, heart failure, and other conditions. It is recommended to maintain oral hygiene before bedtime and avoid eating excessive food to prevent vomiting and breathing difficulties.