Getting liquids down the 'wrong way'

[Newproblems]

I keep getting liquids down 'the wrong way' which results in a major coughing episode. Sometimes I am not even drinking anything ; my own saliva causes me to choke. Does anyone know what causes this and what I can do about it?

[HungryHufflepuff]

I don’t know what it is or what causes it, but it happens with me, and now it’s started happening with food. A few times I’ve really thought I’m going to suffocate because I’ve inhaled a piece of food and it’s well and truly stuck “the wrong way“ It’s got to the stage where I consider what I’m going to eat based partly on whether it’s something that I’ll be able to cough up or breathe through. Like mashed rather than sliced potatoes. Or, I nibble round the edges of things cautiously like cherries or olives. But I’ve also done the choking on my own saliva thing. It’s very disconcerting.

[Babbela in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

I have the same problem with fluid and food feels like there is a ledge in my throat causes me to cough all the time thought perhaps it might be thrush .

[Hidden in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

You need help with this from your doctor. Do you remember the group “The Mamas and the Papas?”

Mama Cass died in her hotel room when she chokes on a bite of a sandwich.

[beech]

I find it happens to me too - it’s like my throat is really “twitchy” and sensitive these days, and that I’ll cough or choke on drink or foodstuffs I never used to have a problem with before my breathing issues. I avoid foods such as nuts, coconut or biscuits where the fine particles after chewing seem to set me off. Then there’s the sensitivity to sulphites like lemon juice, wine (!) and pickled foods which definitely tighten my airways and trigger breathing issues and coughing 🙄. Ok, none of these things are vital, but it is a pain to keep checking or avoiding foods and drink I used to enjoy.

[Hidden in reply to beech]

It’s extremely vital if it causes swallowing issues.

[beech in reply to Hidden]

I wasn’t clear - I meant for me avoiding some of those foodstuffs or drinks isn’t a great loss, rather than being dismissive about the gravity of swallowing issues.

[Hidden in reply to beech]

You should your doctor and let him or her guide you. You shouldn’t have trouble swallowing foods.

[Mark_in_Wales_CVA]

I believe it's related to the epiglottis, something stays stuck around the edge of it - mashed potato is a classic - once you have swallowed, then you take a breath, the small amount of potato gets drawn into your lung and bingo you cough. If I sense it's about to happen, first I try and 'pause' my breath, and swallow again to move whatever is stuck there, or take a sip of water before breathing to clear it, again before taking a breath. Also I notice it happens more if I'm drinking cold water and that drinking warm water is slightly better. And that's warm, not hot.

[Hidden in reply to Mark_in_Wales_CVA]

Please don’t self diagnosis. Usually it’s caused by the epiglottis. Tell your doctor and make sure it’s not serious.

[strongmouse in reply to Mark_in_Wales_CVA]

I have something similar which only occurs occassionally. A small sip of water seems to help. I'm in my mid 60s and have ME / CFS so put it down to poorly working muscles and at times insufficient saliva - not major enough to be a problem though, just enough to notice and take care.

Someone else here mentioned too much mucous and I suffer from allergic rhinitis and as well as taking nasal spray which helps I occassionally resort to a dose of sudafed, although I would NOT recomment that as long term solution.

[Superzob]

I believe, in my case, it's due to lung mucous sitting on the epiglottis and diverting food/drink down the wrong way. Tried Montelucast to reduce it, but find it makes me sleepy; carbocysteine isn't really suitable because my mucous is quite thin, but N-acetyl cysteine (available from health shops) seems to help a bit.

[Hidden]

There are a number of issues that can affect swallowing. It can be serious, because foreign substances in the lungs can cause pneumonia (and to your lungs, saliva is a foreign substance. )

You need to work through this with your doctor.

[BatuoShaolin]

I had this type of problem, years ago. It choked me so badly that I either had to hold on to the kitchen sink and control the restriction to air intake into my lungs. It used happened quite often. Sometimes, if someone was around, I showed them signs to slap my back as hard a possible and clear the air passage. I had to find out on my own, why this was happening. If you have this happening again, recollect your thoughts what you were thinking at that time when the fluid was flowing in your mouth. You will find your mind was taken away from swallowing the correct way into the correct food passage but instead into your air passage. Concentrate on your drinking the liquid rather than have mixed feelings of thoughts. I must add, sometimes you tend to let slip your thoughts.

[Newproblems in reply to BatuoShaolin]

Wow that sounds just about right! It does happen when I am thinking of other things. Thank you so much! I will pay attention when eating or drinking from now on.

[BatuoShaolin in reply to Newproblems]

You are most welcome.

You must always ponder for a moment or two when you put the drinking vessel to your lips. Take a couple of so, slow sips and I can assure you, you mind will automatically concentrate on the flow of the fluid into your mouth.

If it does happen again, detach the drink vessel on a holder or table. Leave it there for a moment or two.

Take a deep breath. Lift your right or left hand to the top of your head. Clench your finger into a fist. Then using the knuckles give a soft tap on your head and in soliloquy,

'drink and don't think, but think of drinking' LOL! Just kidding!

[cherokee6399]

I find it helps to eat small bites very slowly. Also, when swallowing liquid make sure you are upright, not bent over. And drink slowly. A nasal spray like Flonase may help too.

[Newproblems in reply to cherokee6399]

Hi Cherokee and thank you for your reply.

It isn't the eating which is a problem - I can eat plenty. It is mostly when drinking liquids, or even when not ! Something just happens to slip down the wrong way. It happens to everyone but seems more with me. I wondered if it had anything to do with asthma.

Or anxiety, or just rushing?