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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Choking Up On Food And Saliva?

I keep choking when I eat food and last night was so bad my husband had to perform the Heimlich maneuver! Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and I'm choking on my saliva and can barely breath. I just turned 51 yesterday and was told by my Gynocologist that my white blood cell counts are low and my cholesterol is 202. I am 5' 1" and weigh about 122 and I work out every day. I'm usually around 104 and I can't seem to lose this weight no matter what I do
Mon, 4 Dec 2017
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Ayurveda Specialist,  's  Response
**
Thanks for contacting with your health concern

1. As you are overweight, so the symptoms of choking up on saliva and barely breath at night could possibly be 'obstructive sleep apnea' disorder, common in people who are overweight occurring due to relaxation of soft tissues in the back of your throat while sleeping and falls into the airway and makes you up at night in order to breathe and swallow appropriately.

PS. consult your primary care physician to diagnose the condition, since he can refer you either to an ENT surgeon [otolaryngiologist] or a sleep medicine specialist for a complete workup, possibly including a sleep study.

2. symptom of choking for which one has to perform Heimlich maneuver, it could possibly be a symptom of GERD [gastroesophageal reflux disease], so take an opinion of Gastroenterologist or medicine specialist who might ask for an investigation like endoscopy, gastric analysis, till then:

. Do not lie down immediately after food.
. Head high position at night (during sleep)
. Take small nonbulky meals
. Bland and soft diet, avoid chilies and sour or fatty food.
. Stop irritant drugs (painkillers)
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What Causes Choking Up On Food And Saliva?

** Thanks for contacting with your health concern 1. As you are overweight, so the symptoms of choking up on saliva and barely breath at night could possibly be obstructive sleep apnea disorder, common in people who are overweight occurring due to relaxation of soft tissues in the back of your throat while sleeping and falls into the airway and makes you up at night in order to breathe and swallow appropriately. PS. consult your primary care physician to diagnose the condition, since he can refer you either to an ENT surgeon [otolaryngiologist] or a sleep medicine specialist for a complete workup, possibly including a sleep study. 2. symptom of choking for which one has to perform Heimlich maneuver, it could possibly be a symptom of GERD [gastroesophageal reflux disease], so take an opinion of Gastroenterologist or medicine specialist who might ask for an investigation like endoscopy, gastric analysis, till then: . Do not lie down immediately after food. . Head high position at night (during sleep) . Take small nonbulky meals . Bland and soft diet, avoid chilies and sour or fatty food. . Stop irritant drugs (painkillers)