Here Within The Past Few Weeks I Have Been Choking

Here within the past few weeks I have been choking on my saliva and liquids which in turn causes me to cough a very hard cough. What causes this? Also I have asked the nurse practitioner why causes me to suddenly loose my breath as if I have inhaled a vinger type smell. Any idea? She gave me little clear pills to take but I have begged and pleaded with her to stop masking the problem with pills to find out what is causing this. I have never been diagnosed before with sleep apnea but I have woke up out of a dead sleep gasping for air . I snore really bad and don't know if all this is intertwined. Please help. I don't sleep as it is. I wake up constantly during the night with sore throats and coughing.