Possible causes of excess mucus can be food allergies, an acid reflux from the stomach, or an infection. The consistency of mucus in the throat also varies depending on what is going on in your body. Common causes of too much mucus in the throat include a cold or flu, acute bronchitis, sinusitis or pneumonia.
Viral and bacterial infections are two common causes of thick sticky mucus, which can clog your airways, causing you to cough and have trouble breathing. Viral respiratory illnesses usually resolve on their own. OTC medications, like decongestants and expectorants, may provide relief from symptoms.
While you sleep, phlegm and other irritants can pool in your lungs and throat overnight. When you become active in the morning, the phlegm starts to break up and may trigger a coughing fit. Often, a morning cough isn't a sign of a serious medical condition.
There are many possible causes, including congestion, a postnasal drip, a dry mouth, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and thyroid problems. Heartburn from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bronchitis, postnasal drip, or asthma can all cause a morning cough.
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.
If you cough up phlegm that's yellow, green, brown, black, white or red — or if you cough up mucus for two weeks or longer, schedule a visit with your healthcare provider. They can find out what's causing you to cough up phlegm and treat any underlying conditions.
People with a postnasal drip may feel a constant need to clear their throat. Because mucus contains inflammatory elements that can cause irritation, common symptoms also include a sore throat, hoarseness and a cough. Postnasal drip is generally more noticeable at night, especially when you are lying down to sleep.
The color of the mucus can signal a more serious problem. You should see a doctor if your cough brings up yellowish-green phlegm or blood. A cough that doesn't produce mucus is called a dry or nonproductive cough.
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.
So here's the big question: Should you spit or swallow your phlegm? Even though it might taste nasty, “there's nothing wrong with swallowing it,” Dr. Comer says. In fact, that's probably what your body expects you to do, which is why phlegm naturally drains down into the back of your throat.
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.
Cystic fibrosis, a disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs.
Mucous membrane pemphigoid is an autoimmune disorder that causes blisters to form in the mucous membranes of the body. The mucous membranes most often affected are the mouth and eyes. Mucous membrane pemphigoid occurs when the immune system attacks the mucus membranes and causes blisters and sores.
What is a heart cough? In heart failure, your heart muscle has dysfunction that might be due to weak contraction or stiffness. This can allow fluid to back up in yout lungs, creating a condition called pulmonary edema. Your body coughs persistently in an effort to eliminate the excess fluid.
More than just an unpleasant nuisance, mucus that collects in your airways can make breathing more difficult and increase your risk of infection, which can further damage your lungs.
Catarrh is a build-up of mucus in an airway or cavity of the body. It usually affects the back of the nose, the throat or the sinuses (air-filled cavities in the bones of the face). It's often temporary, but some people experience it for months or years. This is known as chronic catarrh.
Blood "backs up" in the pulmonary veins (the vessels that return blood from the lungs to the heart) because the heart can't keep up with the supply. This causes fluid to leak into the lungs. ... coughing that produces white or pink blood-tinged mucus.