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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.
A majority of women may experience infections during the crucial phase of pregnancy. Some infections during pregnancy may also not show clear symptoms. However, timely awareness and prevention can protect both the mother and the baby.
Pregnancy is a special and sensitive phase in a woman’s life. While most women focus on nutrition and regular check-ups, infections during pregnancy can often be neglected.
Some infections may cause only mild symptoms in the mother but can seriously affect the unborn baby if not detected early. Hence, regular screening, good hygiene, and timely medical care are crucial to prevent most pregnancy-related infections and ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.
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A severe influenza A virus, commonly known as seasonal flu, may not only leave you coughing and feeling feverish, but also silently damage your heart, increasing the risk of heart attacks, according to a study.
A team of researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, US, unraveled that the influenza A virus directly damages the heart by hijacking immune cells. This leads to long-lasting cardiac dysfunction even after the lung infection is cleared.
The study, published in February 2026 in the journal Immunity, focused on an immune cell, known as pro-dendritic cell 3.
The researchers revealed that the pro-dendritic cell 3 acts as the ‘Trojan horse’ of the immune system during flu infection and carries the virus to the heart from the lungs.
Once in the heart, it produces large amounts of type 1 interferon and triggers the death of cardiomyocytes, impairing cardiac output.
Importantly, the findings showed that an annual flu vaccine can prevent damage to the heart.
“We have known for years that the frequency of heart attacks increases during flu season, yet outside of clinical intuition, scant evidence exists of the underlying mechanisms of that phenomenon,” said senior author Filip Swirski, Director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute at the Icahn.
“These findings offer great promise for the development of new therapies, which are desperately needed since there are currently no viable clinical options to prevent cardiac damage,” Swirski added.
The team studied autopsies of 35 hospitalized patients who died of influenza. Of these, more than 85 percent had at least one significant cardiovascular comorbidity, such as hypertension. A majority of them also had multiple comorbidities, including atherosclerosis and cardiac fibrosis, underscoring cardiovascular disease as a major driver of influenza mortality.
The study also provided evidence that a cutting-edge modified mRNA treatment that dampens an interferon signaling pathway in the heart can significantly mitigate cardiac damage following viral infection while preserving the protective antiviral response of the immune system.
“The hopeful news for patients is that by injecting a novel mod-RNA therapeutic that modulates the IFN-1 signaling pathway, we reduced levels of cardiac damage, as evidenced by lower troponin, and improved cardiac function, as measured by higher left ventricular ejection fraction,” explained Jeffrey Downey, a member of Dr. Swirski’s laboratory who served as lead author.
Global statistics show that influenza A viruses cause an estimated 1 billion infections each year. This ranges from seasonal flu outbreaks locally to pandemics globally.
While most infections are mild and self-resolving, in some cases, they can become severe or even fatal. When the virus travels to the heart, it triggers the death of cardiomyocytes -- specialized muscle cells that are responsible for the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the heart.
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Ramzan, the holiest month in Islam, marked by dawn-to-dusk fasting, poses health risks for people with diabetes. Health experts urge patients to consult their doctors before observing the fast.
Ramzan is a period of intense spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and devotion for Muslims worldwide. During the month-long fasting period, the believers refrain from eating and even drinking (including water), from dawn to sunset.
The faithful eat a modest meal (sehri) before the first light of dawn to provide energy for the day. The fast is broken at sunset, traditionally starting with dates and water, followed by a larger meal (iftar).
According to health experts, for individuals whose diabetes is well controlled, fasting may be possible with proper adjustments.
"Diabetes requires regular monitoring, balanced meals, and timely medication. When eating patterns change during Ramzan, blood glucose levels can fluctuate. That is why I strongly recommend consulting your doctor before you plan to fast,” Dr. Saptarshi Bhattacharya, Senior Consultant, Endocrinology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, told HealthandMe.
The expert advised people not to skip sehri, and to include complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, along with protein like eggs, dal, or curd, and plenty of fluids to help maintain stable glucose levels throughout the day.
At iftar, avoid overeating. Start with light, balanced food and limit fried items, sweets, and sugary drinks, as these can cause a sudden spike in blood glucose, Dr. Bhattacharya said.
Type 2 Diabetes patients with good glycemic control, lifestyle management, or stable oral medications can fast safely.
However, those on multiple insulin doses, with complications, or with poor control are considered moderate to high risk, Dr. Kartik Thakkar, Consultant Medicine, Ruby Hall Clinic, told HealthandMe.
The health expert also noted that most Type 1 diabetes patients are considered high risk, especially those with brittle diabetes, frequent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), or a history of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Many are medically advised not to fast, particularly if glucose control is unstable.
Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes are considered high risk and are usually advised against fasting due to the unpredictable nature of insulin requirements.
Dr. Thakkar said that such individuals fall into the very high-risk category and are medically exempt from fasting.
The expert also suggested clinical tests to determine whether a diabetic patient is fit to fast. These include:
A diabetic patient must break the fast if:
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