why does air get stuck in my throat?

[roster]

............... You need to see a doctor about this potentially serious problem. You need to get a diagnosis on this one, not help from a forum of non-professionals.

Don't underestimate the value of the forum. Sometimes the forum does its best work by telling someone to get to a doctor. We live in denial and need to be pushed at times. Great advice LoQ!

[LoQ]

Thanks, Rooster. I think we owe it to each other to watch out for blind spots, as well as denial. One of the great double-edged swords of the Internet is the less-inhibited social interaction. In real life, I would be unlikely to tell someone they need to see a doctor if they mentioned to me that they had this problem. Nobody may be benefiting from my "online personality" where I'm more likely to tell you the truth you may need to hear. (Double meaning unavoidable....)

Nobody, the chances are in your favor that this problem is not serious. There are a lot of things that it could be that aren't very serious, and lots of them are treatable. Think of going to the doctor as possibly finding a solution to a problem. Probably it is not a serious problem, and you may well end up with a benefit by having it checked out, if it turns out that the doctor can fix the problem so that you can swallow easier.

[roster]

Thanks, Rooster. I think we owe it to each other to watch out for blind spots, as well as denial. One of the great double-edged swords of the Internet is the less-inhibited social interaction. In real life, I would be unlikely to tell someone they need to see a doctor if they mentioned to me that they had this problem. Nobody may be benefiting from my "online personality" where I'm more likely to tell you the truth you may need to hear. (Double meaning unavoidable....)

.......

LoQ,

Now you have me carrying on a debate with myself about the value of the online personality. At a gut level, I always thought it was a good thing. People need to be shocked out of denial. People need to be jolted to take action for their health. (I am not talking about Mr. Nobody as he seems to be taking action.)

Sure, this approach will run some people off. But I am assuming most people that come here have been gently told in person that they need to do something about apnea, about weight, about high blood pressure, about not using CPAP, etc. And they still haven't done anything, so what good will another gentle reminder do?

Right now the debate in my head is being won by the force that says, "Give them a damn jolt!"

Regards,

Rooster
Anatomically correct; politically incorrect.

Hey pal, it's wakeup time!