Why do i keep swallowing my saliva

Whether it is gum, tobacco or some other substance, there will be a constant need to swallow due to this repetitive chewing. Saliva production is stimulated by chewing. In fact salivation is stimulated by the presence of any foreign object in the mouth even without the chewing action.

As a result, swallowing occurs to remove this excess saliva in the mouth. While people who chew tobacco or other substances like areca betel nut may occasionally spit out the excess salive, some of the saliva that is secreted is still swallowed.

The swallowing can also become habitual even when not chewing anything. A common cause of constant swallowing is post nasal drip. This is where excess nasal mucus drains down the back of the throat.

Nasal mucus is not unusual. The nose produces mucus throughout the day to moisten the nasal passages and trap dust or other substances that enter the nasal passages. Normally this mucus drains down the back of the throat undetected. However, when it is excessive like in post nasal drip then it can irritate the throat, cause a cough and lead to constant swallowing.

Post nasal drip occurs with colds, the flu, allergies, sinusitis, certain medication or food, change in weather and airborne irritants. Ask a Doctor Online Now! The amount of saliva that is secreted by the salivary glands in a day varies but it can be as much as 50 ounces 1. Most saliva is swallowed unless it is consciously spat out. This swallowing occurs occasionally during the day particularly when drinking, eating or talking.

However, if there is excessive saliva secretion hypersalivation then swallowing will occur more frequently. Hypersalivation occurs for several reasons due to poorly fitting dentures, nausea, acid reflux, throat infections, mouth ulcers, mouth pain, dental problems, poisonous substances and certain infections like tuberculosis TB. Read more on excessive saliva. In some cases, a person may require a breathing tube. Conditions that weaken the muscles may increase the risk of choking on saliva by making it harder for a person to cough.

Some muscle conditions can also damage the esophagus, making it harder to push saliva and anything else a person swallows down into the stomach. Muscular dystrophy , for example, causes progressive weakening of the muscles of the body. When this disorder affects the throat or the esophagus, it can make swallowing more difficult, causing a person to choke on saliva. The right treatment for muscle disorders depends on the disorder. Some people benefit from physical therapy , while others may need to take medication.

This can cause swallowing issues and choking. Neurological conditions affecting cognition, such as dementia, may also cause a person to choke on saliva. People with traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries may also not be able to swallow normally. Many neurological conditions get progressively worse with time. Treatment can be challenging and may change as the condition evolves. Some people with neurological conditions see improvements with swallowing or speech therapy.

Newborns and young infants are more likely to choke, as their airways are still developing. Premature infants are more vulnerable to respiratory infections and disorders. These conditions may increase the risk of choking. Caregivers should discuss breathing concerns with a doctor and immediately see a pediatrician when any signs of respiratory distress arise. Noisy breathing, nostril flaring, and a collapsing chest when breathing may be signs of a breathing emergency.

Call or go to the emergency room. Although anyone can choke on saliva because of the proximity of the windpipe to the esophagus, some medical conditions make choking more likely. If a person chokes on saliva, encourage them to cough. If they are unable to cough or seem unable to breathe, call A doctor or paramedic may need to suction the airway to help them breathe again.

Many people worry about the dangers of choking on saliva, because it can be painful and cause feelings of fear. People with functioning respiratory and neurological systems need not worry about choking on saliva. For those with dysphagia or other risk factors, however, choking presents a legitimate danger. A Schatzki ring is a band of tissue that can develop at the lower end of the food pipe. It makes the pipe narrower, which may lead to difficulty….

People can experience pain when swallowing for a wide range of reasons. Certain tranquilizers, anticholinesterases, and anticonvulsants can cause excess saliva. Exposure to toxic substances like pesticides, mercury, or snake or insect venom can cause excess saliva.

Some general signs that can indicate poisoning include stomach pains, vomiting, confusion, fainting spells, and drowsiness. What to do : Seek emergency medical attention if you have been exposed to a toxic substance or suspect that you may have been poisoned. Other symptoms of this condition include a fever, rash, sore throat, fatigue, muscle ache, drowsiness, and swollen glands in your neck and under your arms.

What to do : Your doctor may prescribe steroid medication if your condition is severe. Meanwhile, drinking a lot of fluids and getting sufficient rest can help your body heal. Also, a salt water gargle may help ease your sore throat.

The fever associated with this condition generally resolves in around 10 days and your swollen glands will heal in about a month. Strep throat is another infection that can cause excessive saliva. Bacteria known as group A streptococcus bacteria are responsible for this condition. Strep is spread through contaminated saliva or nasal fluids from someone who is already infected. Some other common symptoms of this condition include a sore reddened throat that might get white patches, a sudden fever, chills, pain when you swallow, and swollen glands in the neck.

It is quite common among children. What to do : Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics for this condition. Do keep in mind that if a strep throat is left untreated, it can cause complications like kidney disease or rheumatic fever. However, with proper treatment, you should get better in around a week. Try home remedies such as warm tea with lemon or honey to soothe a sore throat. Cold fluids or ice pops can be helpful too.

Also, try using a humidifier if your throat feels dry. Tonsillitis is a condition where your tonsils, the glands present at the back of your mouth and the start of your throat, swell up.

If you have tonsillitis, you can also expect symptoms like trouble swallowing, fever, chills, headache, earache, a sore throat, and tenderness in your jaw. If your condition is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. In some cases, surgical removal of your tonsils may also be recommended. Meanwhile, simple home remedies like gargling with salt water and drinking fluids that are bland and warm may help relieve a sore throat.

Peritonsillar abscess is a condition where infected pus collects between the wall of your throat and your tonsils. This is a rare complication of tonsillitis which is usually caused by a bacteria known as group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. What to do : Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics if this condition is caught early enough. However, if an abscess has developed, your doctor will need to drain it with a needle or a surgical procedure.

In severe cases, your tonsils may also need to be removed. Do keep in mind that sometimes swollen tissues due to this condition may block your airways and cause breathing problems. If this happens, you need emergency medical attention. Infections by bacteria, viruses, or fungi can cause the tissue lining your sinuses to become inflamed.