The possible causes of chronic throat clearing are numerous and should be determined by a medical evaluation. These causes may include acid reflux irritation, post-nasal drip from allergies or sinusitis, the presence of vocal fold lesions, neurologic conditions such as tics, and side effects of certain medications.
There are a couple of reasons people get chronic phlegm—acid reflux, post-nasal drip, and allergies can all contribute to the problem.
It is a common symptom of conditions such as the common cold, sinusitis, and allergies. The excess mucus can be caused by inflammation or swelling of the nasal passages, which can be due to a variety of factors such as viral or bacterial infections, allergies, or irritants in the air.
You will likely continue to experience chronic post-nasal drip so long as the conditions causing the production of excess mucus don't change or treatment is not sought.
Your body naturally makes mucus every day, and its presence isn't necessarily a sign of anything unhealthy. Mucus, also known as phlegm when it's produced by your respiratory system, lines the tissues of your body (such as your nose, mouth, throat, and lungs), and it helps protect you from infection.
While there are several reasons for throat clearing, when it becomes a chronic occurrence, it can cause problems, including damage to your vocal cords.
Most of the time, coughing up phlegm isn't a cause for concern. It helps clear irritants and infections from your lungs. But if you cough up phlegm when you're not feeling sick, it could mean you have a more serious underlying health condition. It can also tell you a lot about what's going on with your body.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a disease that is passed down through families. It is caused by a defective gene that makes the body produce abnormally thick and sticky fluid, called mucus. This mucus builds up in the breathing passages of the lungs and in the pancreas.
Expectorants: Expectorants like guaifenesin (Mucinex) help thin phlegm, making it easier to blow out or cough up. Vapor rubs: Vapor rubs provide relief from coughs and chest congestion. Decongestants: Decongestants that contain pseudoephedrine (like Sudafed) can dry out mucus in the chest, nose, and throat.
Chronic phlegm and throat clearing is a common symptom of chronic stress, including the stress caused by anxious behavior.
“Environmental allergies can cause excess mucus or phlegm, as can food allergies, but the latter is harder to diagnose based on this symptom alone,” Dr. Bryson explains. If you're healthy, your mucus tends to be thin — and you may not even notice it. But if you're sick, your mucus can become thick and crusty.
Apart from being sick with a virus or infection, allergens are a very common cause of excess mucus. The immune system overreacts to substances like dust or pet dander, causing your body to release histamines, which can make you sneeze.
Instead Of Coughing, Try Forcefully Breathing Out
So instead of coughing, try to breathe out of your nose forcefully. That will not only get rid of the mucus that has built up in your throat but will also give you the relieving sensation of an unblocked throat and nose.
Gargling with salt water helps to thin mucus and clear the throat. A warm glass of water should contain 2 to 3 tablespoons of salt. Take a sip of salt water and gargle for a few seconds with your head tilted back while keeping the water on your throat. Then repeat the process of spitting out the water.
Symptoms of post-nasal drip include: blocked or runny nose. a cough. a 'tickle' in your throat or a sore throat.
Most mucus problems are temporary. But producing too much mucus contributes to some serious conditions. This includes cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that causes mucus in the lungs to become thick and glue-like.
While this may not seem like a big deal, it can be quite uncomfortable and lead to other problems such as difficulty swallowing. Some medical conditions that can cause sticky saliva include dehydration, Sjogren's syndrome, and diabetes.
Few people realize how many ways anxiety affects the body. One anxiety symptom that affects millions of those with anxiety is excessive mucus.
Some people experience tightness in the throat when they are anxious. This can make someone feel as though they have a lump in their throat or that they are choking. Sometimes, this sensation causes further anxiety, creating a vicious cycle.
Though they're always at work, you typically only notice the sticky substances when you're sick. Mucus and phlegm are similar, yet different: Mucus is a thinner secretion from your nose and sinuses. Phlegm is thicker and is made by your throat and lungs.
If your body was previously in a heightened state of anxiety or in an active stress response, it may take a moment for your body to return to a state of calmness. When your body returns to a state of peace, the lump in the throat feeling will subside, but it may take up to 15 to 20 minutes.
When mucus starts to build up or trickle down the back of the throat, this is known as postnasal drip. Causes of postnasal drip include infections, allergies, and acid reflux. As well as feeling the need to clear the throat frequently, a person with postnasal drip may also experience: a sore throat.