Gurgling sound in the throat when lying down | Causes and Cure

There could never be a more embarrassing situation than lying down on a bed with your friend to watch a movie, and suddenly, you hear a gurgling sound. Many people experience the gurgling sound in the throat when lying down, but why does this happen?

There can be many reasons for the gurgling sound in the throat when lying down. Acid reflux is at the top of the list. At the same time, your bad posture and coughing can also produce this sound.

To eliminate this weird sound, you must first identify its root cause.

Causes of gurgling sound in the throat while lying down

If you are experiencing this sound when lying down, don’t worry; it’s not dangerous. Many adults, youngsters, and even kids experience this weird sound, but it is probably not a cause for concern.

Acid reflux

The gurgling sound isn’t a condition but a symptom related to other disorders. When you are lying, the possible cause of this sound is the acidic content of the stomach that leaks back to the esophagus.

When you eat the food, it enters your food pipe, which has two sphincters. The lower esophageal sphincter is a gateway between the stomach and the food pipe. It closes when the food enters the stomach to prevent the food reflux back into the esophagus.

When this gateway doesn’t work correctly, it can result in the getting back of the mixture back into the esophagus, which results in gurgling esophagus noise and acid reflux.

Obesity

Another common cause of the gurgling sound is obesity. According to a study on 86000 adults, it was found that high body mass index was directly related to this gurgling sound. Simultaneously, a 2019 research found that a higher BMI is linked to lung fat deposits.

It explains why obese individuals can experience wheezing and other breathing difficulties. People can achieve a healthy weight by putting little effort into their dietary changes, regular exercises, and treating any condition contributing to excess weight.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

COPD is a condition that makes breathing difficult. The leading cause behind COPD is tobacco smoking. Around 25% of people suffering from it aren’t related to tobacco smoking. The common symptoms of COPD include:

Whistling, wheezing, or gurgling sound while breathing

Chronic and productive cough
Chest tightness
Difficulty in breathing

Some people may experience completely different symptoms. While some people have mild symptoms that they don’t even notice them. Currently, this condition has no cure, but your doctor will help you control its symptoms and stop its progression.

Medicines will help you open pulmonary rehabilitation, surgery, and supplemental oxygen therapy.

How to stop gurgling in the throat?

When lying down, the gurgling sound in the throat can put us in an embarrassing and awkward position in public. These are unusual symptoms that don’t last long; if they persist, seek suitable treatment.

You must know the root cause to treat your condition adequately to stop the gurgling sound.

Avoid taking food before going to bed.

People suffering from GERD should eat at least 2 to 3 hours before lying down. It can reduce acid reflux at night and the esophagus’s irritation.

Remove the allergens

If you have bronchitis or asthma due to allergies, identify the allergens that trigger the condition first. By removing the allergens, you can overcome this condition. For example, if a person allows his pet to sleep with him on their bed, it might be possible that their dander is the leading cause of their wheezing.

Avoid alcohol and caffeine.

Both alcohol and caffeine can make the person more prone to asthma symptoms. Caffeine can also worsen your acid reflux condition.

So if you have a gurgling sound in your throat when lying down, look for an appropriate treatment method. A dry cough might not be the reason, as the cough with excessive mucus is the main reason for the gurgling noise in the throat.

FAQ’s

Why is there a gurgling sound in the throat when lying down?

Like a burp, the gurgling sound lets the excess air out of your stomach. When you eat fast, drink carbonated soda, or chew gums, there is a high chance that you are swallowing air. That air comes back as a gurgle or burp.

How to cure throat gurgles?

Here are the few best ways of the management and treatment of throat gurgles:

Lose weight
Avoid clearing your throat

Follow a balanced diet
Avoid the use of tobacco, caffeine, and alcohol
Have your meal at least two hours earlier than your bedtime

Eat frequent and small meals
Follow a bland diet that is low in fat, has low acid levels, and is not spicy.
Raise the head of your bed while sleeping

Can acid reflux result in gurgling noises?

Stomach acid can steep into your esophagus, and when it causes heartburn, chest pain, hoarseness, sore throat, bad breath, and in some severe cases, it can cause gurgling noises due to the regurgitation of the acid and food.

Conclusion

The leading cause of this gurgling sound is acid regurgitation. However, these weird sounds aren’t a severe cause of concern. It’s just a symptom of the underlying causes and not the disease. It can either be acid reflux or can be a simple cough as well.

You must figure out the actual cause and then focus on the treatment to get rid of it. Getting rid of the root cause can eventually stop these weird noises that come from your throat.