I am a 36-year-old woman who has been having this problem for the past few months. While
asleep, I would be awoken suddenly by my own coughing, as I would choke on my saliva. Sometimes, I would just go
back to sleep but most of the time, I would have to get up to get a drink before I could return to sleep. The
saliva that I choked on is usually thick and 'mucus'-like. Should I be worried?
Dr Stephen Lee, Specialist in Ear, Nose & Throat Surgery, Raffles Hospital
You are likely to suffer from a condition of sinus infection and obstruction. The saliva
is probably the result of a persistent cold that leads to blockage and infection of the nasal sinuses, causing a
back drip from the nose to the throat.
This is also known as a post-nasal drip. It presents as excessive discharge in the back of the throat,
and quite typically, it happens at night during sleep. The reason for this is that in the sleeping position,
gravity increases the flow of liquid into the throat. The sudden collection of this fluid in the throat or upper
airway, causes irritation of the upper airway and thus resulting in the choking sensation and coughing.
You should consult an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor for an assessment and appropriate
treatment. If medications have not been already utilised, then it would be useful to prescribe medications. If
this has already been done, and has not worked, then a washing procedure to clean out the blocked sinuses would
become necessary in order to resolve the condition.