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.

World Health Day is observed annually on April 7 to mark the founding day of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948 for public health worldwide.

The Day raises awareness about global health issues and highlights the importance of preventive care, healthy lifestyles, and equal access to healthcare for all.

On World Health Day 2026, the WHO urged people to renew their commitment to working together and supporting science as the twin engines driving better health.

“Science is one of humanity’s most powerful tools for protecting and improving health,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization.

“People in every country live longer and healthier lives on average today than their ancestors did, thanks to the power of science. Vaccines, penicillin, germ theory, MRI machines, and the mapping of the human genome are just some of the achievements that science has delivered that have saved lives and transformed health for billions of people.”

World Health Day 2026: History

World Health Day commemorates the formal establishment of the WHO in 1948. The creation of an independent, international health body was proposed by Brazil and China in 1945.

The WHO Constitution, signed in 1946 by 61 nations, officially came into force on April 7, 1948. In the last 78 years of its existence, the WHO has directed and coordinated the world’s response to health emergencies such as :

• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
• Ebola outbreak
• COVID-19 pandemic
• mPox

In addition, it has also led global efforts against communicable diseases (like malaria, HIV, polio) and works on non-communicable diseases (e.g., cancer, diabetes).

The WHO works towards universal health coverage, with a

• focus on primary health care
• improving access to essential medicines and health products
• training the health workforce and advising on labour policies
• improving monitoring, data, and information.

World Health Day 2026: Theme

World Health Day 2026 will be observed under the theme “Together for health. Stand with science.”

The theme highlights the role of the WHO in promoting public health, which has led to improvements in the global maternal mortality rate, falling by more than 40 percent since 2000, and a reduction of over 50 percent in deaths among children under five.

The global health body lauded the advances in technology and scientific knowledge and skills, due to which the once-life-threatening health challenges – such as elevated blood pressure, cancer diagnoses, or HIV infection – have turned into manageable health issues.

The WHO stated that science was behind every health progress, which led to improvements in global health and lives. This includes the development of

• anesthesia
• safer medicines and affordable vaccination
• screening technologies, such as electronic blood pressure monitors and mammography tools.

WHO and its partners generate and translate evidence across a wide range of health priorities, from infectious diseases and chronic conditions to mental health, nutrition , and environmental risks, supporting countries to deliver effective, equitable care.

Rebecca King Crews, wife of actor Terry Crews, has opened up about her diagnosis with Parkinson's disease, which was previously dismissed as mere anxiety.

Speaking on the TODAY show, she also revealed a newly-approved procedure that has helped manage her symptoms. After three years, she’s able to write.

"I feel good," King Crews said during the segment. "I’m able to write my name and my dates, and I’m able to write with my right hand for the first time in probably three years."

Parkinson's Dismissed As Anxiety

The symptoms came suddenly and progressed quickly. Rebecca revealed that her first set of symptoms appeared around 2012, which began with numbness in her left foot while working out. It then progressed to a limp.

Then her left arm wasn't swinging as much as her right during certain exercises. Another was experiencing tremors while applying lip gloss, putting on makeup, or brushing her teeth. However, her doctor just thought she was having anxiety, the Today report said.

After three years of confusing symptoms, a Parkinson's specialist in 2015 recognized that she had the condition.

US FDA-approved treatment for Parkinson’s

Also read: Japan Approves First-Ever Stem Cell Therapies For Parkinson’s And Heart Failure

In the hope of a miracle, Rebecca was praying on her knees beside her bed when her husband, Terry Crews, informed her of a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) non-invasive surgical procedure for her symptoms.

Last month, she underwent the new procedure called a bilateral focused ultrasound. The 2025 approved procedure uses sound waves directed into the brain to eradicate the debilitating symptoms.

What Is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative movement disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells, primarily affecting people over 60. Apart from motor loss, the disease also causes cognitive decline, depression, anxiety, and swallowing problems.

The first symptom may be a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand or sometimes a foot or the jaw. Over time, swinging your arms may become difficult, and your speech may become soft or slurred. The disorder also causes stiffness, slowing of movement, and trouble with balance that raises the risk of falls.

Also read: Is Parkinson's Disease Infectious?

What Is A Focused Ultrasound For Parkinson's?

Focused ultrasound is a noninvasive, therapeutic technology with the potential to improve the quality of life and decrease the cost of care for patients with symptoms secondary to Parkinson’s disease.

This novel technology focuses on beams of ultrasonic energy to targets deep in the brain without damaging surrounding normal tissue.

During the procedure, doctors use a device called Exablate Neuro, developed by a company called Insightec, to deliver ultrasound waves to specific areas on both sides of the brain.

They're guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to target the areas thought to be involved in the movement symptoms in Parkinson's.

The procedure typically produces immediate results and can be a good option for people who can't or don't want to pursue deep-brain stimulation, according to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

A fall at home might look small, but for women older than 65, a broken hip can be a big and serious health problem. In real medical terms, this condition has a 20 to 30 percent chance of being deadly within the first year.

As people get older, their bones get weaker because of osteoporosis, which makes them more likely to break even from small falls. However, the bigger problem starts once the injury happens.

According to World Health organization (WHO), around 60 per cent of people living with osteoarthritis are women, yet awareness remains limited until symptoms begin to interfere with mobility and daily function.

Loss Of Muscles

Reports show that 70 per cent of women will get arthritis and osteoporosis. Most of them had no idea it was coming. HealthandMe spoke to experts to understand the reasons behind the trend.

Dr Gurdeep Avinash Ratra, Consultant - Orthopedics and Joint Replacement, Manipal Hospitals, Gurugram said that the development of these disorders is gradual and closely tied to physiological changes.

“After the age of 30, there is a steady decline in muscle mass, accompanied by a more rapid reduction in strength and power. With menopause, the significant fall in estrogen levels removes natural protection for bone density and joint health. Over time, this leads to increased bone fragility, reduced muscular support, and stress on joints, thereby elevating the risk of fractures and chronic joint conditions,” Ratra told HealthandMe.

Health Coach Prashant Desai in a post on social media platform X, noted that after the age of 30:

• muscle mass starts declining by 1 per cent every year.
• muscle strength declines three times faster.
• muscle power declines eight times faster.

Treatment

Experts said a hip fracture needs to be treated right away as a serious medical problem that requires care from many different medical specialists, not just a doctor who focuses on bones.

Dr Rajesh Kumar Verma, Director – Orthopedics & Joint Replacement, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali explained that limited movement can cause blood clots, chest infections, pressure sores, and loss of muscle quickly. Many patients also face a quick drop in their ability to take care of themselves, which can impact both their body and mind.

Also read: Suffering From Mid-back Pain? Doctors Say It May Be Spinal TB

“Delayed treatment further increases risk. Early surgery and prompt recovery treatment help increase the chances of surviving and recovering better,” Verma told HealthandMe.

How to Prevent

• Maintaining a healthy waist circumference as an early indicator of metabolic health.
• Engaging in regular strength training to preserve bone density and muscle mass.
• Ensuring adequate protein intake to support muscle maintenance.
• Incorporating sufficient calcium and Vitamin D into the diet.
• Remaining physically active, with exercise beyond low impact activities alone.
• Get medical help right away if you fall or think you might have a broken bone.
• Have surgery as soon as your doctor suggests it, because it can help you recover better.
• Begin physiotherapy as soon as possible after the surgery to help restore movement and avoid any serious issues.
• Make sure to eat well, paying special attention to getting enough protein, calcium, and vitamin D.
• Check for fall risks at home by looking at things like lighting, floor surfaces, and handrails.

What to avoid

• Do not wait to go to the hospital, even if the hip fracture pain feels okay.
• Avoid staying in bed for long because a hip fracture can lead to infections, pressure sores, and blood clots.
• Do not skip osteoporosis treatment for hip fractures because it is very important to stop broken bones from happening again.
• Avoid skipping follow-ups or rehabilitation sessions for hip fractures after the surgery.