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.

How to recognize the symptoms of choking on saliva?

This happens when the muscles that are responsible for swallowing weaken or malfunction due to health issues and the symptoms may include:

• Gagging and coughing without eating or drinking
• Gasping for air
• Inability to breathe or speak
• Waking up coughing or gagging

What are the common reasons? Why does it happen?

Some of the common reasons include:

Acid Reflux

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.

Other symptoms of acid reflux:

• Heartburn
• Chest pain
• Nausea

Diagnosis and Treatment:

Acid reflux can be diagnosed via endoscopy or X-rays. Treatment includes antacids to reduce stomach acid.

Sleep-related Swallowing Disorders

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.

What are the treatment options?

CPAP machines to provide continuous airflow

Oral mouth guards to keep the airway open

Lesions or Tumors in the Throat

Growths in the throat, whether benign or cancerous, can narrow the esophagus and impede swallowing.

Symptoms to Watch For:

• Visible lump in the throat
• Hoarseness
• Sore throat

Treatment:

Treatment may involve surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy, depending on the nature of the growth.

Dentures That Don't Fit

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.

Neurological Disorders

Conditions like Parkinson’s disease and ALS can impair the nerves that control swallowing.

Additional Symptoms:

• Muscle weakness or spasms
• Difficulty speaking

Treatment:

Doctors may prescribe medication to reduce saliva production or teach swallowing techniques.

Heavy Alcohol Use

Excessive alcohol consumption can relax throat muscles, allowing saliva to pool and cause choking.

Prevention Tip:

Moderate alcohol intake and sleep with your head elevated.

Talking Excessively

Speaking continuously without pausing to swallow can lead to saliva entering the windpipe.

Prevention:

Take pauses to swallow while talking.

Allergies or Respiratory Problems

Thickened saliva or mucus due to allergies or infections can obstruct the throat, especially during sleep.

Additional Symptoms:

• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Sneezing

Treatment:

Antihistamines, cold medication, or antibiotics may be prescribed, depending on the underlying cause.

How can you prevent choking from saliva?

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.

A Doppler test is a specialized type of ultrasound that uses sound waves to measure blood flow through blood vessels rather than simply creating images of organs and tissues. Unlike a regular ultrasound, which produces pictures of internal structures, a Doppler ultrasound shows how blood moves through arteries and veins, helping doctors detect circulation problems.

While commonly associated with pregnancy, Doppler ultrasound is also used to investigate conditions such as leg pain, swelling, varicose veins, blood clots, peripheral artery disease, and stroke risk. Understanding when this test is needed can help detect serious conditions early and guide timely treatment.

Why Is Doppler Ultrasound Important During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, a Doppler ultrasound is often recommended in high-risk cases to assess blood flow between the mother, placenta, and baby.

"It helps doctors monitor whether the fetus is receiving adequate oxygen and nutrients, making it especially important in pregnancies complicated by high blood pressure, diabetes, fetal growth restriction, or previous pregnancy-related complications," Dr. Vandana Mittal, Principal Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Paras Health Panchkula, told HealthandMe.

Dr. Vandana Jain, Principal Consultant - Obstetrics, Gynecology, Infertility & Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery, Yashoda Medicity, added that the test is commonly recommended in high-risk pregnancies, including fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, hypertension, gestational diabetes, oligohydramnios, multiple pregnancies, and decreased fetal movements.

"By evaluating how effectively oxygen and nutrients are reaching the baby, the test helps detect signs of fetal compromise at an early stage, enabling timely monitoring, appropriate medical intervention, and informed decisions regarding the timing and mode of delivery."

By identifying potential issues early, Doppler studies help doctors monitor pregnancies more closely and intervene when necessary. However, the test is performed only for specific medical indications and is not a replacement for routine pregnancy ultrasounds.

What Other Conditions Can a Doppler Ultrasound Detect?

According to the Mayo Clinic, a Doppler ultrasound can help diagnose:

• Blood clots
• Venous insufficiency, where poorly functioning vein valves cause blood or fluid to pool in the legs
• Heart valve defects and congenital heart disease
• Arterial occlusion (blocked arteries)
• Peripheral artery disease
• Aneurysms
• Carotid artery stenosis, which increases stroke risk

How Doppler Ultrasound Can Help People With Leg Pain

Dr. Jain said Doppler ultrasound is also commonly advised for patients with suspected Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), peripheral arterial disease, carotid artery narrowing, or chronic venous insufficiency.

"It is commonly advised for patients with suspected Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), peripheral arterial disease, carotid artery narrowing, or chronic venous insufficiency," she told HealthandMe.

The expert added that people with persistent leg pain while walking, unexplained swelling, non-healing wounds, or symptoms of poor circulation may require a Doppler evaluation.

Recently, gastroenterologist Dr. Pal Manickam highlighted the importance of Doppler ultrasound during a podcast discussion. He urged people not to ignore sudden leg pain or swelling, noting that these symptoms could indicate deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and require prompt evaluation.

How Is a Doppler Test Done?

The procedure is painless, non-invasive, and usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the area being examined. It is also radiation-free.

A Doppler ultrasound is performed by a trained sonographer using a hand-held device called a transducer. The transducer sends sound waves into the body and measures how they bounce off moving blood cells, allowing the machine to assess blood flow in real time.

A new high-precision radiotherapy treatment introduced by NHS England is set to offer a faster and more convenient treatment option for thousands of men with prostate cancer.

Known as stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), the treatment delivers high-dose radiation in just five sessions over two weeks, compared with the 20 or more sessions typically required with conventional radiotherapy. This means eligible patients can complete treatment with 15 fewer hospital visits, reducing the burden of travel and time spent in care.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK. More than 55,000 men are diagnosed with the disease each year, while around 12,300 die from it annually.

According to NHS Chief Executive Sir Jim Mackey, the new therapy will "transform" treatment for thousands of men with localized prostate cancer while enabling the NHS to provide "far more powerful and more convenient" cancer care.

How Does SABR Work?

According to NHS England, stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) delivers highly targeted radiation to the tumor from multiple angles, helping reduce the risk of the cancer returning or spreading.

The treatment delivers a higher dose of radiation with pinpoint accuracy, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue and reducing the likelihood of side effects.

"This technology lets us focus a powerful and precise beam of radiotherapy directly onto the cancer, limiting the damage to healthy cells – and the fact it can be delivered in 15 fewer doses will help men get back to living their lives far more quickly," said Professor Peter Johnson, NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer.

Also known as stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), SABR is already used to treat certain lung and brain cancers. It is now being offered on the NHS to eligible men with low- and intermediate-risk localized prostate cancer.

Also read: Minimally Invasive Focal Therapy For Prostate Cancer Promises Fewer Side Effects Than Surgery Or Radiotherapy

Who Can Benefit?

Around 17,500 men in England are diagnosed with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer each year and could be eligible for SABR.

NHS modeling suggests that nearly one in five of these patients—around 3,500 men annually—may choose the treatment to help reduce the risk of their cancer spreading.

The treatment is expected to be available across all 48 NHS radiotherapy centers in England, with the first hospitals beginning to offer it from next week.

Could Reduce Waiting Times

The NHS estimates that introducing SABR for prostate cancer could free up around 50,000 treatment appointments each year.

By shortening treatment schedules and reducing the number of hospital visits, the rollout is expected to improve capacity across radiotherapy services while helping bring down waiting times for cancer patients.

However, SABR is not suitable for everyone with localized prostate cancer. Experts advise patients to discuss their treatment options with their specialist team, while ongoing research continues to evaluate the therapy in different patient groups.

What Is Prostate Cancer?

Read More: Over 40% Prostate Cancer Patients in India Diagnosed After Cancer Has Spread: ICMR study

The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped gland in men that produces seminal fluid, which nourishes and transports sperm. Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells begin to grow uncontrollably in the gland.

Experts say not all prostate cancers are life-threatening. Many are slow-growing and may never affect a man's lifespan. In fact, such cancers are found in around one in three men over the age of 50. However, a smaller number of prostate cancers are aggressive, spread quickly, and require prompt treatment, making early detection and regular screening important.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Early-stage prostate cancer may cause:

• Blood in the urine or semen
• Difficulty urinating
• Erectile dysfunction

More advanced prostate cancer may lead to:

• Decreased force of the urine stream
• Bone pain
• Unexplained weight loss.

For years, excess weight has been considered one of the biggest risk factors for fatty liver disease. However, doctors are now seeing a growing number of Indians being diagnosed with Grade-1 fatty liver despite having a normal or only slightly elevated body mass index (BMI).

The emerging pattern is challenging the long-held belief that only people with obesity are at risk. Ahead of the World Hepatitis Day, observed every year on July 28, the health experts said it highlights the need to look beyond the number on the weighing scale, as excess abdominal fat, insulin resistance, poor diet, sedentary lifestyles, and genetic predisposition are increasingly being linked to early liver damage.

Hidden Metabolic Problems, Not Just Obesity

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Pankaj Sharma, Director of Dept. Robotics, Bariatric, Laparoscopic and General Surgery, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, said the trend reflects the rise of hidden metabolic problems rather than visible obesity.

"Many Indians develop excess fat around internal organs even when their BMI is within the normal range. Sedentary lifestyles, processed foods, sugary drinks, poor sleep and insulin resistance all contribute to fat accumulation in the liver. Grade-1 fatty liver is often the body's first signal that metabolic health is beginning to suffer," he said.

The doctors highlighted that many Indians develop visceral fat despite having a normal BMI, making them vulnerable to metabolic disorders. This means a healthy weight alone does not always translate to a healthy liver.

Also read: 1 In 4 Diabetic Patients in India Suffer from Liver Fibrosis, Finds Lancet Study

Fatty Liver Can Affect Fertility Too

The effects of fatty liver may extend beyond liver health, said Dr. Shobha Gupta, Medical Director and Infertility Specialist at Mother's Lap IVF Centre, Pitampura, New Delhi. She noted that metabolic disorders are increasingly affecting fertility in younger adults.

"Fatty liver is often part of a larger metabolic imbalance. In women, it may coexist with insulin resistance and PCOS, affecting ovulation, while in men, poor metabolic health can compromise sperm quality. Improving metabolic fitness before conception can support both fertility and a healthier pregnancy," she told HealthandMe.

Doctors also recommend assessing liver and overall metabolic health early during fertility treatment.

Is the Condition Reversible?

The experts emphasized that Grade-1 fatty liver is one of the few lifestyle-related conditions that can often be reversed if detected early.

"Instead of waiting for symptoms, people should pay attention to routine health check-ups, stay physically active and make sustainable lifestyle changes. Prevention is always easier than treating advanced liver disease," Dr. Sharma said.

Doctors recommend regular exercise, a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy waistline, and controlling blood sugar and cholesterol to prevent further liver damage.

What Is Grade-1 Fatty Liver?

Read More: NAFLD to MASLD: Experts Explain Why This Common Yet Dangerous Liver Condition Got Renamed

Grade-1 fatty liver, also known as mild steatosis, is the earliest and usually reversible stage of fatty liver disease. In this stage, about 5-10% of the liver contains excess fat.

If left untreated, the disease can progress to liver fibrosis, where scar tissue gradually replaces healthy liver tissue due to chronic inflammation. Advanced fibrosis can eventually lead to irreversible liver damage (cirrhosis), increasing the risk of liver failure and liver cancer.

Grade-1 Fatty Liver: Key Symptoms

The doctors warned that liver disease often remains unnoticed until it has significantly progressed. But some people may experience:

• Fatigue
• Discomfort in the upper right abdomen
• High triglyceride levels
• Unexplained weight gain
• Impaired blood sugar control

Grade-1 Fatty Liver: How Is It Diagnosed?

Doctors may diagnose fatty liver using a combination of:

• Blood tests, including liver enzymes (ALT and AST)
• Lipid profile
• Blood sugar tests
• Ultrasound
• CT or MRI scan
• FibroScan.