Swallowing air

[gemp54]

Hi all, this might be a stupid question but do any of you find you have problems swallowing air when you have anxiety? I keep getting the feeling like I need to burp-like an air bubble is stuck in my throat. It also gives me problems when eating and drinking. It's like I cant quite get the food or drink down properly until I've brought the air up. It's a new one for me so I thought I'd see if this is anxiety related?!

[Funkyfaerie]

Hi,

Please check out my profile, I put an almost identical post on the other day.

See if it helps at all and let me know.

[gemp54 in reply to Funkyfaerie]

Wow, that's amazing! Out of interest, you.mention muscle tension. Do you get a stiff neck? I started with a stiff neck initially which hasn't improved and now I'm getting the air swallowing problem and an irritated throat. It's so frustrating! I'm seeing a doc Monday about the stiff neck so I might mention it then. I hope you find relief from your symptoms soon. Xx

[Funkyfaerie in reply to gemp54]

Hi,

Yes I do have stiff, tense muscles in my neck, shoulders and back. It all makes me feel slightly nauseated and a little unbalanced at times.

[gemp54 in reply to Funkyfaerie]

Same here. I've been seeing a physio and they said my neck, trapezius muscles and the muscles around the edge of my shoulders are really tight and knotty. I keep stretching it but nothing seems to work for that long. Xx

[Funkyfaerie in reply to gemp54]

I think it's all to do with holding ourselves rigid with tension all the time, due to being anxious. We breathe really shallow, it's not natural for our bodies to be in this state. And consequently we often swallow more air when earing or talking... When it locks up in my stomach I find it hard to breathe and that makes me panic.... Physio hasn't helped me much either.

I think maybe trying some progressive relaxation may help, but I haven't tried it yet... Let me know if you find an answer.

[Funkyfaerie in reply to gemp54]

Just an after thought. I found out this swallowing too much air, is called Aerophagia, medical term and its very common in anxious people!