Choking After Heavy Alcohol Intake
The alcohol has a property of depressing the nerves in the throat and airway. This numbing effect on throat leads to a reduction in protective ‘gag reflex‘.
Problem With Absence of Gag Reflex
Gag reflex normally protects the food or fluid from entering into our airway. But its absence may cause the food and drinks to enter the windpipe (and airways), thereby causing coughing. This may further lead to choking or lung infection.
Management
The remedy would be stop the drinking, at least for few days, so that the throat gets a chance to regain its protective reflexes.
