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.

India is seeing a steady and worrying rise in breast cancer cases, with numbers nearly doubling over the past ten years in many urban areas. What was once considered a gradual increase has now become much more visible across the country.

Over the last two decades, breast cancer cases have been slowly increasing. But in the last decade, the rise has been sharper. At the same time, there has been a major shift in the type of cancers affecting women. Earlier, cervical cancer was the most common. Today, breast cancer has taken that position across India.

Why Breast Cancer Cases Are Rising?

One of the biggest reasons behind this rise is that lifestyles have changed, especially among urban dwellers. Diets are now richer in fats, with physical activities taking a backseat, leading to obesity becoming normal. These factors, along with hormonal changes, delayed pregnancies, and genetic risks, all contribute to a higher chance of developing breast cancer.

At the same time, there is also a more encouraging side to this story. More women today are getting diagnosed earlier than before. A decade ago, many patients would come in with advanced stages of the disease. Now, a larger number are being detected in Stage 1 and Stage 2. This shift is important because early detection significantly improves survival.

Better awareness and easier access to screening have played a big role in this change. Campaigns during Breast Cancer Awareness Month have helped bring conversations around breast cancer into the mainstream. More women are now opting for regular check-ups and mammograms, which means cancers are being caught earlier.

However, the overall numbers still remain a concern. It is estimated that one in every 25 to 28 women in India will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. When this is applied to the country’s population, it translates into a very large number of women being affected.

The important thing to understand is that this rise is not due to one single reason. It is a mix of lifestyle changes, increased awareness, better detection, and possibly hormonal and environmental factors that are still being studied.

Importance Of Early Screening

The way forward is clear. Regular screening is one of the most effective tools available today. Women above the age of 40 should ideally undergo a mammogram every year, even if there are no symptoms. Early-stage breast cancer can be treated very effectively, with cure rates going up to nearly 99% when detected at the earliest stage.

While the numbers may seem alarming, there is also a sense of progress. More awareness, better screening, and earlier diagnosis mean that outcomes are improving. The focus now needs to be on making screening a routine habit and encouraging healthier lifestyles.

Breast cancer is on the rise in India, but with the right approach, it is also one of the cancers where early action can make the biggest difference.

Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. From regulating muscle and nerve function, to supporting a healthy immune system, to building protein, maintaining blood sugar and blood pressure levels, and aiding in energy production, magnesium plays an important role in our health.

Importantly, it helps in getting a good night’s sleep by promoting relaxation, calming the nervous system, and helping your body produce melatonin, the so-called sleep hormone. Magnesium supplements are among the most popular dietary supplements in America, the Washington Post reported.

“There’s a lot of interest in magnesium right now — all of my patients are asking me about it,” Bethany Marie Doerfler, a clinical research dietitian at the Northwestern Digestive Health Center, was quoted as saying.

“There’s a lot of insomnia in the United States, and many of my patients are saying, ‘Can I use magnesium, can it be helpful?’”

Studies have proven that high levels of magnesium in the diet can lower the risk of heart disease and strokes. It also increases bone mineral density, protecting against fractures and osteoporosis.

Yet despite its well-documented benefits, researchers have found that a majority of people consume less magnesium than the recommended amounts.

How Much Magnesium Do You Need?

According to the American health officials, women aged between 19 and 30 should consume 310 milligrams of magnesium daily (350 milligrams if they’re pregnant), and 320 milligrams if they are 31 or older.

For men, the recommendation is that they consume 400 milligrams if they’re 19 to 30 years old, and 420 milligrams if they’re 31 or older.

Doerfler noted that one can get plenty of magnesium simply by eating a few daily servings of the right plant foods.

According to the National Institutes of Health some top dietary sources of magnesium, include

• Pumpkin seeds
• Chia seeds
• Almonds
• Spinach,
• Cashews
• Peanuts
• Shredded wheat cereal
• Soymilk
• Black beans

Who Is At Risk Of Magnesium Deficiency?

Most people get enough magnesium from food, but certain groups are more vulnerable to deficiency. These include people with gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease or coeliac disease, those with type 2 diabetes, people who consume excessive alcohol, and older adults.

If you’re low on magnesium, you might notice symptoms such as muscle twitches, spasms, fatigue, low appetite, nausea, or an irregular heartbeat. However, the only way to confirm a deficiency is through a blood test prescribed by your doctor.

Can Magnesium Supplements Really Help?

While magnesium deficiency can lead to cramps, most cases of muscle cramps are not due to low magnesium. Research shows limited evidence that supplements prevent cramps, especially in older adults.

The link between magnesium and better sleep is also unclear. Some studies found it helped people fall asleep faster, while others found no significant difference.

When it comes to migraines, evidence is stronger. Studies suggest that taking 122–600 mg of magnesium daily for 4–24 weeks may reduce the frequency and severity of migraines in some people.

Are Magnesium Supplements Safe?

In general, magnesium supplements are safe when taken in the recommended amounts. However, too much can lead to nausea, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea, because magnesium draws water into the intestines.

Taking extremely large doses (around 5,000 mg daily) can cause magnesium toxicity, which is dangerous. Always check with your doctor before starting supplements, especially if you take other medications.

A 31-year-old Brazilian beauty queen, Maiara Cristina de Lima Fiel, has reportedly died after suffering a sudden heart attack.

de Lima Fiel, a young mother, was due to compete in a beauty pageant next week. She reportedly had no major health issues. Paramedics spent more than an hour trying to save her life but she tragically did not recover, The Daily Mail reported.

Her untimely death has sparked grief and shock among her community and followers, and has also reignited concerns over unexpected cardiac events in seemingly healthy individuals.

Who Was Maiara Cristina de Lima Fiel?

de Lima Fiel was crowned Miss Londrina last year in a prestigious regional beauty pageant and also came runner-up in the 2025/26 edition of Miss Sarandi, The Daily Mail reported.

"She was such a committed, dedicated young woman," the report quoted Vitor Tavares, organizer of the contest Maiara, as saying. She was due to compete on April 29.

"I had the pleasure of meeting her in person at the end of last year when she confirmed her participation as Miss Londrina. From that moment, it was clear how seriously she took this dream," he added.

While detailed medical circumstances have not been publicly disclosed, such sudden cardiac events in young adults are often linked to underlying, sometimes undiagnosed, heart conditions or acute cardiovascular episodes.

Also read: US Cardiologist Explains Why 2026 AHA Cholesterol Guidelines Recommend Starting Young

Heart Attacks Rising Among Younger Adults

Acute coronary syndromes, or heart attacks, are on the rise among young adults.

While there are some genetic predispositions for premature heart attacks, the majority of the risk is attributed to the increased incidence of conventional risk factors in young people, such as

• Obesity,
• Sedentary lifestyle,
• Diabetes,
• Hypertension,
• Dyslipidemia
• Smoking
• Substance abuse.

Who Is At Risk for Sudden Heart Attacks?

Also read: Ideal Blood Pressure Reading for Older Adults: Harvard Health Experts Have an Answer

Doctors are now seeing them in people as young as their late 30s and early 40s, especially those with high-stress jobs.

“They mistake early signs for lifestyle issues: acidity after a heavy dinner, shoulder pain from sitting at a laptop, or tiredness from long hours," Pankaj Vinod Jariwala, Interventional Cardiologist at Yashoda Hospitals, told HealthandMe.

Dr Krunal Tamakuwala, cardiologist at KD Hospital, Ahmedabad, pointed out that the real danger is not that these heart attacks are completely "symptomless," but that their symptoms are so common that they are easily ignored.

By the time a person finally sees a doctor, their heart may already be seriously damaged.

“Sometimes, it arrives silently, hidden behind complaints we consider minor. That is why doctors urge patients not to ignore symptoms that linger or feel unusual, even if they seem harmless at first,” Dr Tamakuwala told HealthandMe.

How To Reduce Heart Disease Risk In The 30s?

The experts shared that to boost heart health, the key is to

• Eat a healthy and balanced diet
• Avoid refined sugars, fats, and processed foods.
• Do at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day, for five days a week.
• Stay away from smoking,
• Early screening and treatment
• Improving mental health.