I am 45 years old. On occasion I have problems swallowing. My throat seems to close off on me. It feels as though it cuts off my air supply so that no air goes through, and that is scary. I don't know if it is only from my sinuses or not. I don't have a sore throat or post-nasal drip, and breathing through my nose is not a problem.

J.B.

I cannot diagnose you based on your description of your symptoms. You need to find a physician who will take a careful history from you and then perform a fairly complete exam, with particular attention to your neck, throat and lungs. Beware the doctor who talks to you for five minutes, looks in your mouth, listens to your lungs, and hands you a few drug samples.
One possible explanation for your symptoms is GERD. GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Reflux refers to the process whereby stomach acid and digestive enzymes ascend the esophagus, spilling into the throat. While your stomach lining is designed to tolerate a constant bath of acid and digestive enzymes, the esophagus and throat are not so blessed. Recurrent reflux can cause esophageal pain (more commonly called heartburn), which can be severe enough to mimic a heart attack. More commonly, reflux is not so dramatic. Instead, it may cause more subtle symptoms such as swallowing difficulty, hoarseness, chronic cough, repetitive throat-clearing, and the sensation that there is a lump in the throat.

How does this relate to your symptoms? To understand this, you need to appreciate a bit of anatomy. The throat tapers like a funnel. At the base of this funnel are the vocal cords, which are perched above the windpipe. The opening to the esophagus is immediately behind the vocal cords. The vocal cords are joined together just behind the Adam's apple cartilage, forming a V. When you speak, swallow, or cough, the vocal cords close. When you breathe, the V opens, allowing air to pass into and out of the lungs.

When reflux occurs, stomach acid and digestive enzymes may spill onto the vocal cords. The vocal cords close forcefully in order to prevent this harmful material from getting into the lungs. Usually, this provokes a cough; occasionally, however, the vocal cords slam shut -- and stay shut for several very frightening seconds! When the vocal cords are shut, you cannot breathe.

Other lung disorders (such as asthma) may mimic your symptoms. This is why you must be examined by a competent physician.