Causes of recurring choking: risks and methods of prevention
Everyone may face the possibility of choking from time to time, as a result of swallowing food, drink, or saliva incorrectly, which leads to partial or complete obstruction of the airway. However, when the choking occurs repeatedly, this may indicate an underlying health condition, so what is it? Reasons for repeated east? And ways to prevent and treat them.
What is saliva?
Saliva is a liquid secreted by the salivary glands in order to help digest food and maintain oral health by removing bacteria and food remaining in the mouth.
So the body produces about 1 to 2 liters of saliva per day, which most people swallow without feeling it.
However, sometimes saliva does not flow easily through the throat, which may cause choking or what is called choking.
Reasons for repeated east
The occurrence of chorus is not a matter of concern unless it occurs frequently, which may require consulting a doctor to find out the underlying cause, Among the most common reasons:
1. GERD
GERD occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus and mouth. Which increases the process of producing saliva to get rid of the acid, which leads to difficulty swallowing, and saliva collects in the back of the mouth, causing suffocation and choking.
- Diagnostic methods: Esophagitis is diagnosed by endoscopy or x-rays.
- Methods of Treatment: Treatment may include over-the-counter antacids to lower stomach acid.
2. Talking too much
One of the reasons for repeated choking may be talking a lot without stopping in order to swallow saliva, which may lead to saliva moving through the trachea to the respiratory system, causing choking and suffocation.
- treatment: In this case, all you need to prevent recurring choruses is to speak slowly and swallow saliva between sentences.
3. Difficulty swallowing
Some pathological conditions may cause difficulty swallowing and the inability to clear the airway, as saliva and other substances secreted from the airway are swallowed, causing choking as a result of the person choking on saliva.
Doctors have determined There are two main types of difficulty swallowing Except the two:
- Esophageal dysphagia: Which results in a feeling of food sticking at the base of the throat. The causes of esophageal dysphagia include esophageal tumors, esophageal strictures, and eosinophilic esophagitis.
- Oral dysphagia: Which may result from the weakness of the muscles of the larynx, which leads to difficulty in moving food from the mouth to the throat, and the esophagus when swallowing. This may result in esophagitis.
To determine the appropriate treatment This condition must be diagnosed in order to determine the underlying cause. Doctors may perform a series of tests to determine the cause of dysphagia, such as using x-rays, endoscopy, or an esophageal muscle test.
4. Difficulty swallowing while sleeping
This disorder occurs when saliva collects in the mouth during sleep and then flows into the lungs, causing choking and choking.
An older study suggests that there may be a link between difficulty swallowing during sleep and obstructive sleep apnea as a result of airway obstruction or narrowing.
This condition can be diagnosed with a polysomnography test. Where the doctor can diagnose abnormal swallowing, and obstructive sleep apnea, by using the CPAP device.
5. Throat tumors
Cancerous or benign throat tumors can cause narrowing of the esophagus and difficulty swallowing saliva. This can lead to choking and choking, along with other common symptoms such as hoarseness and sore throat.
- Among the diagnostic methods: Do a CT scan or MRI to check for injury.
- Among the treatment methods: Surgical intervention to remove the tumor, or radiotherapy or chemotherapy to reduce the growth of cancer cells.
6. Ill-fitting dentures
One of the reasons for choking is also the use of improper dentures, which prompts the salivary glands to produce more saliva. This is when the nerves of the mouth detect the presence of a foreign object inside the mouth. Thinking of the brain that this body is food. This may result in choking and accidental choking.
- treatment: Saliva production may decrease as the body adjusts to the dentures used.
Therefore, you can consult a doctor in the event of installing dentures and the occurrence of repeated orgasms, as your dentures may not be appropriate.
7. Neurological disorders
Neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, may damage the nerves in the back of the throat, which may result in difficulty swallowing and salivation.
Symptoms of neurological disorders also include muscle weakness, muscle spasms in parts of the body, and difficulty speaking.
- Diagnostic methods: Doctors may use a variety of tests, including imaging tests such as MRI, and nerve tests such as electromyography.
- Methods of Treatment: The doctor may prescribe medications that help treat chronic drooling and improve swallowing, such as Robinul.
8. Respiratory problems
Choking and choking may result from saliva flow caused by allergies or respiratory problems. Where the windpipe is located next to the esophagus, a small segment of cartilage called the epiglottis usually prevents inhaling saliva, liquids, and food.
However, sometimes the epiglottis may not completely close the trachea, as a result of some people suffering from muscle or nerve diseases, which causes choking and suffocation.
Other symptoms of respiratory problems include sore throat, coughing, sneezing, and runny nose.
To treat this condition The doctor may prescribe antihistamines or cold medicines to treat symptoms and reduce saliva production. Respiratory infections may require antibiotics.
9. Excessive salivation during pregnancy
Hormonal changes during pregnancy, which may lead to a feeling of severe nausea in some pregnant women, which may be accompanied by excessive saliva production, may be one of the causes of belching.
Some pregnant women may swallow less saliva while feeling nauseous, resulting in excessive salivation in the mouth, causing choking.
- Methods of Treatment: This condition does not require a prescription. Drinking water can help wash excess saliva from the mouth and reduce choking.
Tips for preventing recurring choking
Some simple measures can be taken to reduce frequent choking in general, such as:
- Do breathing exercises.
- Chewing food well.
- Eat slowly.
- Not speaking quickly and swallowing saliva between sentences.
- Support the head when sleeping so that saliva flows into the throat.
- Try sleeping on your side instead of on your back.
- Eat small meals.
- Avoid eating fatty foods just before bed.
- Drink water constantly to remove saliva from the mouth.
- Eat a healthy diet, and eat foods and liquids that are easy to swallow.
- Take over-the-counter medications to treat sinus allergies.
- It is preferable to chew sugar-free gum to prevent nausea during pregnancy.