Writing about a recent health scare caused by blocked salivary glands, the 'A Wrinkle in Time' actress reminds fans how often they are not grateful for their perfect functioning bodies.

• Oct 10, 2018

AceShowbiz - Oprah Winfrey has opened up about a recent health scare that left her with a swollen neck.

The media mogul and "A Wrinkle in Time" star feared the worst when she woke up and noticed the swelling and called her doctor, who urged her schedule an emergency appointment.

In an essay posted to OprahMag.com, Winfrey explains she quickly discovered her salivary glands were blocked.

"I couldn't believe it. I'd worked myself up to a blood pressure reading of 150/80 thinking about how I was going to rearrange my life to deal with whatever this was," she writes, explaining her doctor suggested drinking water and sucking on lemons to bring the swelling down.

"I was grateful. Not just because things weren't worse, but for the simple awareness that a tiny salivary gland can get clogged with mucus or crystallized-calcium stones and disrupt your whole system," she adds. "Our bodies are amazing. And too often we are not grateful for their perfect functioning, balancing bacteria and enzymes, managing blood flow, thrumming the sinus rhythm beat, beat, beat of our hearts day in, day out."

"As they say, you don't appreciate your health until you no longer have it."