Lying flat causes a feeling of throat pressure, but it improves when sleeping on the side.

In general, if there is a sensation of throat pressure when lying flat but symptoms improve when sleeping on one's side, this may be caused by chronic pharyngitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), or other conditions. In such cases, different treatment approaches should be adopted depending on the underlying cause. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Chronic Pharyngitis

This is a chronic inflammation occurring in the pharynx. After onset, the mucous membrane of the throat becomes congested and swollen, leading to symptoms such as a foreign body sensation in the throat and sore throat, which may worsen when lying flat. In such cases, medications such as Yinhuang Dropping Pills, Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid, or Lanqin Oral Liquid may be taken under medical guidance.

2. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

After onset, this condition causes duodenal contents to reflux into the esophagus, easily damaging nearby tissues such as the oral cavity, pharynx, and airways. If a patient already has GERD, lying flat increases intra-abdominal pressure, thereby exacerbating symptoms. Treatment may include medications such as omeprazole enteric-coated capsules, domperidone tablets, or ranitidine tablets, taken according to medical advice.

3. Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS)

This condition is mainly characterized by snoring during sleep, breathing pauses, and daytime sleepiness. When lying supine, airway collapse increases, causing airway obstruction and possibly resulting in a sensation of throat pressure. Symptoms such as snoring may also worsen. Under medical guidance, surgical treatments such as septoplasty, nasal cavity expansion, or adenoidectomy may be considered.

Besides the above common causes, similar symptoms may also be associated with conditions such as tonsillar polyps, tonsillar papillomas, or nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Patients experiencing discomfort should promptly seek medical attention at a hospital and actively cooperate with diagnosis and treatment.