Comments on My Epiglottis Is Getting Lazy

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FactorFiction, I'm sorry but I did not see this comment this morning.  First of all, I don't consider myself an expert at anything in the field of nursing.  I am always learning.  I don't think that I have ever dealt with a patient who I knew was suffering from aerophagia.  If your doctor is right about that, I don't think it has to do with the epiglottis.  It sounds like your problem is more centered in the digestive tract but there is no way I could know that.   Have you tried other opinions?  These things can be so difficult to discover the causes and an effective treatment.  Perhaps you could ask JanesOpinion.  She is much more educated than I and as a Nurse Practitioner she can diagnose whereas I am not allowed to do that.

posted by TAPS. on October 18, 2006 at 8:41 PM | link to this | reply

TAPS you're such a hoot!

Too bad you can't do "kegels" on the Epiglottis . . . . 

posted by JanesOpinion on October 18, 2006 at 7:03 PM | link to this | reply

sounds like you are an epiglottis expert...

so of course I have a question...

This has been a problem on and off for many years and even landed me in the emergency room in the middle of the night when I was very pregnant and short on breathing space anyway. They gave me an inhaler to use sparingly. My doctor (EX doctor make that) told me more recently that it was aerophagia (I think) that was caused by anxiety. He has his own selective hearing.  Aaaaanyway...is this an epiglottis thing?

When I have a postnasal drip I have trouble breathing because I have what I call "little noises" or maybe little burps? It makes breathing/talking/life very uncomfortable and I prefer to sit quietly until it stops.  But apparently I am only anxious when I am having a cold or allergies...  Sorry, memories of that doctor irritate me...

Be careful eating! Choking is so scary...

posted by FactorFiction on October 18, 2006 at 6:19 AM | link to this | reply

Taps... I know this is no laughing matter...

I do sympathise with this potentially serious problem. My daughter used to eat all her food upside down as she was always gallivanting doind cartwheel and handstands to my great concern, I don't know how she did it, she must have had a very efficient epyglottis... some of us are not so lucky it seems.

posted by marieclaire66 on October 17, 2006 at 11:52 PM | link to this | reply

TAPS-

Taps, I worked restorative dinning for years and many stroke patients had difficulty with swallowing.  It is scary.  Some patients had to be afraid to eat for they were constantly choking, even if they were unable to voice their fear.  I monitored them very closely as they ate, cueing them often to eat slowly, chew their food longer, take smaller bites, take a drink after swallowing what was in their mouth and to remember to do the chin tuck as they were eating.

I've always told my children that my end will probably be choking on hamburger.  It seems to give me the most problem.  Anyway, I've learned to not talk while I am eating. I'll stick my left index finger up and give eye contact, alerting someone asking me a question, that I can't answer until I've swallowed my food first.  

One thing I know, when someone chokes in public, often they will head straight for the restroom in order to save embarrassment, but that is the time I follow for they may need help!  I've been taught, if the person can talk clearly, they are ok, but if they can't, they need help.  Choking is no laughing matter, really. Do be careful, Taps and I'll be careful, too! 

posted by jacenta on October 17, 2006 at 9:14 PM | link to this | reply

ThomasFranklin, Its OK, I was laughing while I was commenting to you because I knew you didn't mean that.  I can't help but be naughty now and then at other peoples expense.  Gotcha!

posted by TAPS. on October 17, 2006 at 8:49 PM | link to this | reply

THATS NOT WHAT I MEANT!! oops, I'm sorry. I guess that it could be taken that way.  Its just a bad comment. If I could erase it, I would. So, you'll have to do me a favor and do it for me. Erase it and forget I ever made the stupid comment. Sorry.

posted by ThomasFranklin on October 17, 2006 at 8:42 PM | link to this | reply

MarieClaire, I think laughing is just the exercise I needed.  LOL

posted by TAPS. on October 17, 2006 at 6:55 PM | link to this | reply

Taps. can you believe I just swallowed the wrong way! just as I was reading

this! may be it is catching... better watch out. I suggest you....
strenghten your throat
write an epic-gloat
gloat gloat gloat
to your throat's content
strengthen the moat
at the back of the throat
now that is food for "thoats"!
a sight for sore throats
the monster gloat!
just don't laugh too hard, it might make you cough again.

posted by marieclaire66 on October 17, 2006 at 5:38 PM | link to this | reply

Join the club, TAPS, (and no,not THAT club, I'll drop that subject, like a

hot rock from a great height...nope  won't go there).

No, as a card-carrying member of the "click-whore" club myself, here's your gift bag...

posted by Blanche. on October 17, 2006 at 11:15 AM | link to this | reply

I don't mind, Blanche.  Its a reminder of me being a blogging virgin.  Now I'm a blogging click whore.

posted by TAPS. on October 17, 2006 at 11:12 AM | link to this | reply

I was joshing, TAPS, I hope you dont' mind being reminded, I thought it was

a poetic, whimsical name, very apropos.

posted by Blanche. on October 17, 2006 at 11:02 AM | link to this | reply

Tapsel-Teerie is long gone for good except for in the minds of a few who never seem to forget.

posted by TAPS. on October 17, 2006 at 11:00 AM | link to this | reply

Tapsel Teerie, you come back here!

posted by Blanche. on October 17, 2006 at 10:43 AM | link to this | reply

Take care...

posted by _Symphony_ on October 17, 2006 at 10:42 AM | link to this | reply

TAPS~  "I guess you had better practice what you preach."  haha  Well, slow down eating, anyway.

posted by MaggieMae on October 17, 2006 at 8:42 AM | link to this | reply

Whacky, my own post has helped me to be more aware of the situation and of better ways to protect myself against fruther choking.

posted by TAPS. on October 17, 2006 at 8:29 AM | link to this | reply

Your insinuations are duely noted, ThomasFranklin.

posted by TAPS. on October 17, 2006 at 8:28 AM | link to this | reply

I thought that the epiglottis was a butt muscle. I notice that the word 'pig' is found in epiglottis. Also the word 'lot'. As for excersize, I recommend swallowing as you rise up from the sitting postion. oh no..ignore that...that was a butt tightening excersize.

posted by ThomasFranklin on October 16, 2006 at 11:25 PM | link to this | reply

If there are any exercises I think I'd start them now.

Maybe eating your favorite things? I wish.

posted by Whacky on October 16, 2006 at 11:24 PM | link to this | reply

Thanks, Cameraeye.  I've noticed that things that I used to take for granted come a little dearer these days and need a little extra time and attention. 

posted by TAPS. on October 16, 2006 at 8:20 PM | link to this | reply

Same Age Gals

Wow, I do understand the "new us." (same age)  We are lucky to be where we are but  this  maintenance generation has a lot of new techniques. I hope you are feeling better, I enjoy your writing.

Lou

posted by Cameraeye on October 16, 2006 at 8:17 PM | link to this | reply

There you go, Taps

plenty of good advice... funny how often we forget to apply it to ourselves. It sounds like you have it under control but do watch yourself.

posted by mneme on October 16, 2006 at 7:57 PM | link to this | reply

Taps

Hi .. Slow down while you eating .. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you. I do understand about having someone hovering over you waiting for something to happen. I am a type 2 diabetic and a few months ago my sugar went way out of control and the kids calling and stopping by with all there suggestions was enough to send my blood pressure sky high. On the other hand it is nice to know they are caring. Take Care!

posted by BrightIrish on October 16, 2006 at 4:51 PM | link to this | reply

MaggieMae, You are so sweet.  Actually, I need to start practicing what I have always preached as a nurse to those with dysphagia (swallowing problems), many times after a stroke (which I have not had).   Several things that would help me would be, 1) Simply slow down when I eat.  I have always been a fast eater because I have always been in a hurry, it seems, to do something else.  2) Not try to eat and talk at the same time if I'm with someone else.  Not talking is hard for me anytime.  3) Practice not tilting my head back to finish off a cup, glass, can of fluids.  That last drop is often what gets me.  4)  Tuck my chin under when I swallow.  That puts the epiglottis in the right position.   5).  Keep my mind on what I'm doing when I'm eating or drinking.  My mind is always off on what I want to do next.   6)  Chew my food much longer than I do, especially Granny Smith apples.   I'm sure there are somemore that I've forgotten to mention, but if I would just do these things regularly, I would save myself a lot of grief.

posted by TAPS. on October 16, 2006 at 4:28 PM | link to this | reply

Maybe you could research it on the computer - have you tried?

posted by MaggieMae on October 16, 2006 at 4:04 PM | link to this | reply

Gosh, TAPS~ I wish I could help you out.  I sure don't want you to choke.  Hmmmmmmmmm!

posted by MaggieMae on October 16, 2006 at 3:55 PM | link to this | reply

We used to call it the "Sunday Pipe"

as in, you must have swallowed with your Sunday pipe...  Something went down the wrong way...  Or, "that must have had a little bone in it," you know, those slender flexible fish bones that get down before you know it, (even when you're not eating fish).  I never heard of an exercise, but you can learn to be careful not to take a breath and swallow at the same time.

posted by Pat_B on October 16, 2006 at 2:10 PM | link to this | reply

heavens, no! but you know what they say, everything in moderation!

 i'm off to work, have a great day TAPS.

posted by fourcats on October 16, 2006 at 10:51 AM | link to this | reply

Well, fourcats, that sometimes works the other way also, causing a bit of irreconcilable damage.  You don't really want me to take that chance do you?

posted by TAPS. on October 16, 2006 at 10:42 AM | link to this | reply

well, ahem, i

can think of something you could do to strengthen the throat and tune your reflexes, but i'm not sure i can post that here!  honestly!  and meaning no offence.  i can't even believe i'm going to hit the "add comment" button.    okay, here goes.

posted by fourcats on October 16, 2006 at 10:35 AM | link to this | reply

Taps, I once choked on a particularly pithy bit of Ibsen...

It was OK, though, cos Sam was able to perform the Henrik Manoeuvre.

posted by _dave_says_ack_ on October 16, 2006 at 10:35 AM | link to this | reply

Taps, that's my a peel.

posted by _dave_says_ack_ on October 16, 2006 at 10:34 AM | link to this | reply

HAHAHAHA.  Dave, you just don't stop.  How am I supposed to keep up with you?  You are really quite saucy.

posted by TAPS. on October 16, 2006 at 10:32 AM | link to this | reply

Taps, choking on an apple will no doubt have shocked you to the core.

posted by _dave_says_ack_ on October 16, 2006 at 10:30 AM | link to this | reply

Thanks, Afzal.  This seems to be an increasing problem as age increases.  But, it even happens to the young so its good for everyone to know how to perform the HM.

posted by TAPS. on October 16, 2006 at 9:32 AM | link to this | reply

good post .

posted by afzal50 on October 16, 2006 at 9:22 AM | link to this | reply