Feeling like you’re choking on your own saliva is a common and often alarming experience. This sensation raises questions about its nature and whether it’s a true choking event. Saliva, produced by glands in the mouth, is mainly water, electrolytes, mucus, and enzymes. It lubricates the mouth and throat, aids digestion, and protects oral tissues. Most people swallow 1 to 2 liters of saliva daily without conscious thought.
Understanding How Swallowing Works
Swallowing is a complex process involving coordinated muscle actions and neurological reflexes. It moves substances from the mouth into the pharynx (throat) and then into the esophagus, the tube connecting the throat to the stomach. Over 50 pairs of muscles and several cranial nerves facilitate this action.
A key component preventing substances from entering the airway is the epiglottis, a small, leaf-shaped cartilage flap. During swallowing, the epiglottis automatically folds back, covering the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe). This directs saliva, food, or liquids into the esophagus, away from the respiratory system.
If the epiglottis doesn’t fully close the windpipe, or if there’s a momentary miscoordination in the swallowing reflex, saliva can inadvertently enter the trachea. The body’s natural defense, the cough reflex, is triggered to expel the substance from the airway. This clears the windpipe. This sensation of “going down the wrong pipe” is not an actual obstruction like choking on food, but a temporary misdirection the body corrects.
Factors That Can Lead to Choking on Saliva
Several situations and factors can increase the likelihood of saliva entering the windpipe, triggering a cough. Swallowing too quickly, or talking or laughing while swallowing, are frequent causes. When speaking or laughing, the epiglottis may not fully close, allowing saliva to be misdirected. Distraction can also interfere with coordinated swallowing.
During sleep, the swallowing reflex slows, which can lead to saliva pooling in the back of the mouth and being inhaled. Conditions like post-nasal drip, where excess mucus collects in the throat, also contribute. Acid reflux can irritate the throat lining, potentially affecting swallowing coordination and increasing saliva production as the body neutralizes stomach acid.
Certain medications can influence saliva production or muscle coordination involved in swallowing. Some drugs cause dry mouth, making swallowing less efficient, while others affect the neurological control of swallowing muscles. These factors can temporarily disrupt the mechanism that directs saliva safely down the esophagus.
When to Be Concerned About Choking on Saliva
Occasional incidents of feeling like you are choking on your own saliva are common and do not indicate a serious health problem. The body’s cough reflex is effective in clearing the airway. This differs from choking on food, which involves a physical airway obstruction that prevents breathing.
However, if these incidents become frequent, or are accompanied by pain, difficulty breathing, or persistent coughing, seek medical advice. These symptoms could suggest an underlying medical condition affecting the swallowing mechanism. For example, difficulty swallowing, known as dysphagia, can cause sensations of food or liquid getting stuck and may involve problems with swallowing saliva.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can also contribute to swallowing difficulties and increase the risk of saliva misdirection due to esophageal irritation. Neurological issues or muscle disorders can impair the coordinated muscle function required for effective swallowing. A healthcare professional can assess symptoms and determine if further evaluation or treatment is necessary.