Tag: Swallowing reflex

Did you know the human body performs a complex sequence of muscle movements to swallow? While we initiate the process consciously, the question of why is swallowing involuntary is rooted in the remarkable autonomic control of our nervous system, a crucial safety mechanism we rarely think about.

Approximately 15% of the general population may experience occasional swallowing difficulties. The event of choking on your own saliva is medically known as aspiration, which occurs when saliva or other substances accidentally enter the airways instead of the esophagus. While a common, isolated incident is often harmless, frequent aspiration can signal an underlying condition like dysphagia or acid reflux.