LOUD SWALLOWING IS a natural reflex for many of us when we are finished chewing. It’s also known as “Epic Swallow” and more than half of the world’s population apparently does it loudly, probably to impress their family members. Loud swallowing is a common trait that is passed down from one generation to another in most families. With age, people tend to swallow with less noise and some even have no sound at all. However, this can be easily corrected by re-learning how to swallow again. If you find yourself sitting uncomfortably at your next family dinner or just want to know why you make so much noise when swallowing – read on! Here are some tips on why we swallow so loudly.
Why Do We Swallow So Loud?
- We swallow so loud to make sure that our food stays in the mouth and doesn’t get stuck in the throat.
- It allows us to hear how much we have eaten, which helps us regulate how much we eat.
- Loud swallows allow you to chew more and swallow less, which makes your eating experience easier.
- Loud swallows may make you feel that you’re eating faster, but you’re actually eating slower because of your loud swallowing!
- Loud swallows can be annoying for others around you, especially if they are trying to order or eat quietly themselves. Some restaurants have even started banning loud eaters; this is an extreme measure but it does work! Other restaurants only ask people who make a lot of noise to sit at a particular table or booth, with one ear pointed toward the kitchen and one toward the other customers (so they can hear if there is trouble). If they don’t stop, they may be asked to leave! The place I go most often has a sign over its entrance that says “No Loud Eaters Allowed – Please Chew in Silence!” I try very hard to chew quietly, and I’ve even been asked to leave restaurants before.
- Loud swallows may be caused by a physical problem. If you have a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea, you may swallow more loudly than usual. Sleep apnea is when the airway closes during sleep and you stop breathing for short periods of time (normally up to ten seconds). This causes the brain to wake up and make loud swallowing sounds to try and keep breathing going. Sleep apnea is often associated with loud snoring, so if you snore loudly while sleeping without any other symptoms of sleep apnea, it is unlikely that you have it!
- Loud swallows can be caused by psychological problems as well. If someone has a fear of choking or if they feel anxious about swallowing food, they may swallow louder than usual in an attempt to avoid choking or being eaten themselves. A person with a phobia of vomiting might swallow so loudly that their voice becomes hoarse from eating too much at once!
- Loud swallows are often caused by anxiety about food intake or body image issues related to eating habits and weight gain/loss (as discussed in this post).
- Loud swallows can be caused by poor oral hygiene. If you have bad breath or bad teeth, loud swallows are likely a symptom of that problem.
- Loud swallows can be caused by allergies to food, chemicals in foods, or preservatives in foods (e.g., MSG). If you have an allergy to something and you eat it and then your throat is irritated or your lips are swollen because of the reaction, you may swallow loudly as an attempt to clear your throat or mouth (or both) of whatever is irritating them! This may also explain why some people have a tendency to swallow loudly after eating certain types of food: they’re trying to spit it out!
What Is A Loud Swallow?
A loud swallow is when you make a lot of noise while eating. Some people make a clicking sound while they’re chewing, while others make a gurgling or rushing sound while they swallow. If you have ever been to a restaurant and found yourself eating alone, you may have noticed that the person sitting next to you is eating so loudly that the noise could almost be heard across the room. That person is “Swallowing too loudly.” A loud swallow is anything with a sound above the normal chewing level. The noise could be caused by the food being chewed too vigorously, food caught in the back of your throat, or the food being too dry and being sucked into the lungs.
Why You Might Be Swallowing So Loudly
Swallowing is one of the most basic functions of the human body. It is also one of the most complexes. There are so many things that go into swallowing – and it’s not as simple as you think. Here are a few reasons why you may be swallowing so loudly:
1. You have a jaw problem or TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder)
Jaw pain and problems like TMJ can cause an increased amount of stress when you swallow, leading to loud swallowing. This can make you feel like you have a lump in your throat, which can be very uncomfortable – especially if it’s not any better with physical therapy or other treatments. If left untreated, this pain can lead to more permanent damage to your jaw and teeth.
2. Do You have an eating disorder or issue with food
If you have issues with food and eating, you may be swallowing so loudly because of this. It’s not uncommon for people with eating disorders to have difficulty swallowing – though it’s important to note that this is not the same as choking. Choking is actually very rare in people who have issues with food and eating.
3. You can’t swallow fluid due to a medical condition
Many conditions can cause the inability to swallow fluid. The most common is called Esophageal Atresia, which occurs when there is a hole in your esophagus that prevents the normal flow of food from your throat down into your stomach. This can lead to an inability to swallow liquid or even saliva, which makes loud swallowing all the more likely. If you have this condition, it will be important for you to see a doctor as soon as possible so that they can refer you for further testing and treatment if necessary.
4. You’ve had surgery on your throat or neck area
If you’ve had surgery on your throat or upper neck area, particularly if it was done more than one year ago, you may be swallowing so loudly because of this. This is because your throat and mouth are usually sore after surgery, which can cause you to swallow louder than normal.
5. You have an ear infection
If you have an ear infection, especially if it is accompanied by a fever or headache, it can make swallowing louder than usual. It’s also common for people with ear infections to have a sore throat as well, which can make swallowing louder. If this is the case for you and your symptoms are not improving, it may be time to see a doctor about them.
6. You have some sort of neck issue that makes your throat sore or painful to swallow
If you have neck pain or soreness in your throat area – especially if it’s accompanied by pain in the jaw – this can make swallowing so loud that it sounds like you’re choking. It’s important to see a doctor right away if this happens to you. They will need to know how long the pain has been present as well as how severe it is – and they will want to see if there are any other signs that indicate that there may be something more serious going on.
7. You have a weak upper back
If you have a weak upper back, this can make swallowing louder than usual. This happens because when you try to swallow something that is too big, it doesn’t reach your tongue and throat to be swallowed easily because of the weakness in the upper back. If this is the case for you, it may be time to see a doctor so they can take an X-ray or other test to see if there is something else causing your issues with swallowing.
8. You’re dehydrated or very hungry
If you are very hungry or dehydrated and swallowing louder than normal, this may be caused by your body trying to get more liquid into your system as quickly as possible. If this is the case for you, it’s important not to let yourself get too thirsty and not skip meals – especially if you’re trying to lose weight – in order for your body to help regulate how much fluid you need so that it doesn’t become so loud when swallowing.
Conclusion
Swallowing too loudly is a natural reflex for many of us when we are finished chewing. It’s also known as “Epic Swallow” and more than half of the world’s population apparently does it loudly, probably to impress their family members. Loud swallowing is a common trait that is passed down from one generation to another in most families. If you are serious about stopping the loud swallowing noise and making your next meal more enjoyable for everyone around you, here are a few tips you can use to train yourself to stop swallowing so loudly. Make your food easier to chew, eat smaller portions, and work on your posture.
