Difficulty in swallowing saliva and a feeling of suffocation are most often associated with inflammation and swelling of the tonsils, hypertrophy of the tonsils themselves and oedema of the mucous membrane in the throat, which blocks the patient’s airway. Common diseases include acute laryngitis, acute epiglottitis, tonsillitis, etc. The symptom may also occur in cases such as facial palsy due to cerebral infarction, but is relatively uncommon. If the choking sensation is obvious, it is advisable to seek medical attention to identify the cause and to treat it.