The gurgling noises in your throat cease immediately as you step on stage. You might feel as if your voice has also left with your footsteps. If you’ve ever experienced this kind of fear before – or have even had it creep up on you while auditioning – then you know how incredibly difficult it can be to even speak let alone sing. There are many ways to stop gurgling noise in your throat and get back to putting on a great show!
What is the Gurgling Noise in Your Throat?
A gurgling throat noise occurs when air passes through a narrowed larynx. The larynx is the part of your throat that contains the vocal cords, which produce sound. There are many possible causes of gurgling in your throat, including an infection (such as strep throat), a cyst or nodule, or other problems with the thyroid or voice box.
How to Stop the Gurgling Noise in Your Throat?
Stay hydrated
If your throat is so dry that it’s causing a gurgling noise in your throat, then the first thing you can do is increase your water intake. This will help keep your throat hydrated and the gurgling noise in your throat should stop. If you have a medical condition or are taking medication that causes you to have an unusually dry throat, then you’ll need to work with your doctor to adjust your dosage. In addition to keeping a water bottle nearby at all times, you can also try adding a teaspoon of honey to warm water. This will help soothe your throat as well. If you’re worried about your caffeine intake, you can try other beverages such as herbal tea, or even carbonated or flavored water. You can also try to add citrus fruits or slices of lemon to your water throughout the day.
Suck on a cough drop
Another way to stop the gurgling noise in your throat is to suck on a cough drop. These are often medicated, which will both soothe and hydrate your throat. Some cough drops also contain menthol, which can help stop the gurgling noise in your throat by numbing your throat. If you have a cough drop with menthol, though, make sure to put it in a bag so you don’t end up coughing while you’re sleeping. For those without menthol, you can also try sucking on a lozenge or eating a small piece of hard candy.
Gargle with salt water
Another option for those who have a gurgling noise in their throat is to gargle with salt water. This will help dehydrate your throat and stop the gurgling noise in your throat. You can make a saltwater solution by mixing 1/8 teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water. Once you’ve gargled with the salt water, spit it out rather than swallowing it. While it can help to stop the gurgling noise in your throat, it’s not good for you to swallow it.
Breathe through your mouth
Another option that can help stop the gurgling noise in your throat is to breathe through your mouth. This will help prevent the gurgling noise in your throat by keeping your throat more hydrated. Though you may be tempted to breathe only through your mouth while you’re trying to stop the gurgling noise in your throat, try to use both your mouth and throat. This can help maintain a healthy balance between the two. Once you’ve managed to stop the gurgling noise in your throat, you can always switch back to breathing through your nose.
Use a throat spray
Another option is to use a throat spray to stop the gurgling noise in your throat. Make sure to use a spray that’s formulated to soothe and hydrate your throat. Many of these sprays also contain menthol, which can help numb your throat to stop the gurgling noise in your throat. If your throat spray doesn’t contain menthol, you can also add a drop of menthol oil to the spray. You can find menthol oil at most pharmacies or online. Once you’ve managed to stop the gurgling noise in your throat with a throat spray, don’t keep using it. Instead, try one of the other methods listed above. Using throat sprays too often can cause damage to your throat over time.
What causes gurgling noise in the throat?
-
Dry Mouth
Another common cause of gurgling noises in the throat is dry mouth. When saliva production slows or stops, the mouth dries out, leading to bad breath and making it difficult to swallow. This can cause food to get stuck in the back of the tongue, blocking the airway. If this happens while you are sleeping, you may make gurgling noises without noticing it. If you notice gurgling noises in your throat when you eat or drink, try drinking more water. This will rehydrate your mouth and throat, allowing you to swallow more easily and reducing the risk of blocking your airway.
-
Hairball
Another common cause of gurgling noises in the throat is hairballs. Cats are known for their love of eating hair, and rabbits and rodents also get hairballs. If you have a pet that ingests hair, you may notice gurgling noises in your throat while you are sleeping. If you have pets and are experiencing gurgling noises in your throat, try combing your pet regularly. If the gurgling noises are severe, you should see a doctor. The doctor will likely perform a physical examination and test your throat for a hairball. Medical attention is recommended if the noises do not stop after removing the hairball.
-
Bad Breath
Bad breath can cause gurgling noises in the throat. The most common cause of bad breath is an oral infection. A dental infection may lead to an oral infection, and consequently, gurgling noises caused by the oral infection. Bad breath may also be the result of improper gum or tongue cleaning. If you experience gurgling noises and bad breaths, it is best to visit a dentist.
-
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Gurgling noises in the throat are also a common occurrence during pregnancy and childbirth. When the fetus grows, it presses against the mother’s diaphragm, causing the diaphragm to move up and down, causing gurgling noises. The same happens during childbirth, as the mother’s diaphragm is pressed down by the expanding uterus. Gurgling noises caused by pregnancy or childbirth usually last until the baby is born and the mother’s diaphragm returns to its normal position. Gurgling noises caused by pregnancy or childbirth usually last until the baby is born and the mother’s diaphragm returns to its normal position.
-
Suffocation Feeling or Smelling Feces
If you are experiencing a suffocation feeling or smell of fecal matter coming from your throat, it is probably due to gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. The acid from your stomach travels up your esophagus and causes a burning sensation in your throat and chest. When GERD occurs, gas bubbles can collect in your esophagus and cause gurgling noises. If you experience a suffocation feeling or smell fecal matter, seek medical attention.
-
Tumor and Growths in the Throat or Larynx
A lump in the throat or larynx may cause gurgling noises in the throat. Growth in the throat or larynx is usually a solid mass, but in some cases, it may contain a small amount of fluid. Gurgling noises accompanied by a lump in the throat or a growth in the larynx may be a sign of a tumor or other benign growth. Gurgling noises caused by a tumor or growth in the throat or larynx may need to be surgically removed.
The Bottom Line
When people experience the gurgling noise in their throat, they often jump to the conclusion that they have a serious medical problem. In reality, the gurgling noise is usually very easy to stop. All you need to do is reduce the amount of air that you swallow and you should be able to reduce the gurgling noise almost immediately.
