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Have you ever been in such a deep slip and ended up waking coughing? Chances are, you choked on your own saliva. Yes, it is very much possible. Saliva is a clear liquid produced by your salivary glands that play a crucial role in digestion and oral health. This is because it washes away bacteria and food particles. The body on an average produces about 1 to 2 litres of saliva daily, and a lot of it is swallowed unconsciously. However, when saliva does not flow smoothly down the throat, it can lead to choking, which can be uncomfortable.
Here's all that you need to know about what causes it, and how can you prevent it.
This happens when the muscles that are responsible for swallowing weaken or malfunction due to health issues and the symptoms may include:
Some of the common reasons include:
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid travels back into the esophagus and mouth, irritating the esophagus and increasing saliva production to neutralize the acid. This buildup of saliva can lead to choking.
Acid reflux can be diagnosed via endoscopy or X-rays. Treatment includes antacids to reduce stomach acid.
When you are sleeping, some abnormal swallowing can occur during that time and it may cause saliva to pool in the mouth and flow into the lungs. This is what leads to choking. This condition is often linked to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which causes breathing to pause during sleep.
CPAP machines to provide continuous airflow
Oral mouth guards to keep the airway open
Growths in the throat, whether benign or cancerous, can narrow the esophagus and impede swallowing.
Treatment may involve surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy, depending on the nature of the growth.
Dentures can confuse the brain into perceiving them as food and it may trigger excess saliva production and cause choking. The best way to work this out is by consulting a dentist for proper fitting and adjustment of dentures.
Conditions like Parkinson’s disease and ALS can impair the nerves that control swallowing.
Doctors may prescribe medication to reduce saliva production or teach swallowing techniques.
Excessive alcohol consumption can relax throat muscles, allowing saliva to pool and cause choking.
Moderate alcohol intake and sleep with your head elevated.
Speaking continuously without pausing to swallow can lead to saliva entering the windpipe.
Take pauses to swallow while talking.
Thickened saliva or mucus due to allergies or infections can obstruct the throat, especially during sleep.
Antihistamines, cold medication, or antibiotics may be prescribed, depending on the underlying cause.
In case of sleep apnea, sleep with your head elevated or on your side. You can also try and avoid lying flat right after eating and eat smaller meals to prevent acid reflux. It is also important that you sip water throughout the day to clear any saliva buildup. In severe cases, use over-the-counter medicines for allergies or consult a healthcare provider.
Credit: AI
Patient should not be afraid to ask what type of lung cancer, Stage and spread of disease whether it has spread and what is stage of disease, This information helps direct treatment decisions and provides insight into the future prospective of disease status .
The patient should self designate a Trustee who will take care of her Medical Records , fixing up appointment and be responsible for medication administration. A diagnosis of lung cancer can be shocking and worrisome, but knowing what to expect can help patients make more informed choices.
The first lesson is that lung cancer can be very different from patient to patient. Treatment depends on the type, stage as well as genetic changes and health.
For lung cancer patients some patients will require testing the tumour for specific Molecular markers which help in deciding type of immunotherapy . Before beginning treatment, patients should be asked for if they have had the appropriate tests done for fitness before therapy.
Modern lung cancer care may involve surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted medicines and immunotherapy, often in various combinations. The best treatment will depend on the type of cancer and the health of the patient.
Also read: What Is Driving India's High Burden Of Childhood Cancers?
Patients should not quietly accept worsening shortness of breath, pain, fever, severe weakness, poor appetite or side effects of treatment. Early communication can assist doctors in managing complications and maintaining quality of life.
Palliative or supportive care is not just for the end of the cancer course. It can be given along with cancer treatment to help manage symptoms, improve emotional wellbeing and increase everyday comfort.
Above all, I do not think that a diagnosis means there are no options. The treatment of lung cancer is changing rapidly and the results can vary greatly from patient to patient. Ask questions, clarify, and understand treatment plan and when appropriate, get a second opinion before making major decisions.
Credit: WHO
Breastfeeding is important not only for babies' health and nutrition but also for protecting mothers from serious diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.
It urged governments to strengthen access to services and interventions that support breastfeeding as part of World Breastfeeding Week, observed annually from August 1–7.
The 2026 theme, "Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works," focuses on tracking progress, evaluating impact, and scaling proven approaches that improve breastfeeding outcomes.
"Scaling up breastfeeding could prevent almost 400,000 child deaths and around 140,000 maternal deaths each year," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a joint statement.
"Every US$1 invested in breastfeeding promotion generates an estimated US$59 in economic returns through lower health-care costs, improved cognitive development, higher educational attainment, and increased lifetime earnings," they added.
The experts noted that breastfeeding is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to protect a child's health. It provides infants and young children with essential nutrition, boosts immunity, helps protect against serious illnesses, and supports cognitive development.
For mothers, breastfeeding also offers significant health benefits by reducing the risk of noncommunicable diseases such as breast and ovarian cancers, and type 2 diabetes.
The WHO said breastfeeding rates have improved globally due to sustained investments in policies and programs supporting mothers and families.
Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months increased from around 37 per cent in 2012 to more than 47 per cent today. Over the past five years, the prevalence of breastfeeding up to two years of age has risen from 38 per cent to 50 per cent.
Despite these gains, the WHO said many countries continue to lag behind global targets.
"Coverage of services supporting breastfeeding remains low, policies are inconsistently enforced, and service quality is often inadequate, especially in low-income, fragile, and humanitarian settings," the WHO said.
The agency noted that cost-effective interventions include skilled breastfeeding support within health systems, community-based counselling, maternity protection policies, and protection from the exploitative marketing of commercial milk formulas.
WHO and UNICEF called on governments, health systems, workplaces, communities, civil society organizations, and families to strengthen the "Warm Chain of Support" for breastfeeding.
During World Breastfeeding Week, the agencies urged countries to:
"Breastfeeding is vital. By investing in proven solutions, we can give every child the best possible start in life and ensure every mother gets the care and services she needs," the agencies said.
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A new study published in The Lancet Regional Health–Southeast Asia has found that India accounts for 68% of all childhood cancer cases in the SAARC region.
While the country's large child population contributes to the high numbers, experts say underdiagnosis and incomplete cancer registration may mean the actual burden is even greater.
An international team of researchers, including from the US, India, and Canada, estimated that nearly 37,700 children aged up to 14 years were diagnosed with cancer across South Asia in 2022, with 17,700 deaths reported. India alone accounted for an estimated 25,939 cases and 12,028 deaths.
The researchers noted that because cancer registration remains incomplete, particularly in rural areas, the true number of childhood cancer cases in India could exceed 50,000 annually.
India is home to more than 380 million children, accounting for nearly 69% of the child population in the SAARC region. This naturally contributes to the country's higher share of childhood cancer cases and deaths.
However, experts emphasize that population size is only part of the explanation. Delayed diagnosis, limited access to specialized treatment, and gaps in cancer registration continue to affect both disease estimates and patient outcomes.
Dr. Narendra Agrawal, a leading Hematologist and Bone Marrow Transplant Physician and Senior Consultant and Unit Head of Haemato-Oncology at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, told HealthandMe that childhood cancer remains a major public health concern in India.
"Current estimates suggest that around 70,000–80,000 children and adolescents develop cancer each year, although the exact number remains uncertain due to expanding cancer registration systems". The most common childhood cancers in India include:
Unlike many adult cancers, most childhood cancers do not have a clearly identifiable or preventable cause. Dr. Agrawal explained that, in most children, cancer develops because of genetic changes that occur during early development. These changes are usually not linked to lifestyle factors or inherited from parents.
Although the causes of most childhood cancers remain unclear, some well-established risk factors include:
Dr. Agrawal said India's substantial childhood cancer burden is largely driven by its population size. However, improving outcomes requires addressing several systemic challenges.
Key issues include:
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