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Home » TBI » Excess Mucus In The Throat – Causes And What Works Best
Excess Mucus In The Throat – Causes And What Works Best
Though you may not be aware of it, the glands in your throat produce lots of mucus every day. Mucus, also known as phlegm, is essential for keeping your respiratory tract moist and healthy, and wards off infection. Excess mucus, however, can be unpleasant and bothersome and can cause a number of issues, including swallowing problems. Let’s take a look at what causes a build-up of mucus and some of the remedies that work best.
What Causes Excess Mucus In The Throat?
The stomach, nose, sinuses, and throat can all produce mucus, so getting a good diagnosis requires a medical examination. 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. When mucus runs from the back of the nose down the throat after a meal, this could indicate an allergy. Causes can be mild, chronic, or severe (the onset of congestive heart failure), so be sure to seek medical advice.
Symptoms of mucus overproduction
Symptoms of excess mucus are coughing up phlegm, shortness of breath, or congestion in the throat. If the cause of mucus in the throat is a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection, symptoms may be different. They may include fever, itchy eyes, a runny nose, headache, and difficulty breathing. Frequent throat-clearing may be a symptom of stomach problems, as mucus formation is a protective mechanism against acidity.
What foods help excess mucus?
Some food and drinks tend to lead to a build-up mucus, while others relieve it. Things that help include broccoli, berries, oranges and greens, fatty fish like trout, and olive oil. Cayenne pepper, ginger, lemon, and herbal teas are also beneficial. Things that can aggravate mucus build-up include milk, soy, cheese, yoghurt, caffeine, processed meat, and alcohol.
Further tips and remedies
Many people with excess mucus find that sleeping with their head raised on an extra pillow helps. This is because elevating the head and shoulders in this way relieves congested nasal passages. Quit smoking and stay away from irritants and polluted air whenever possible. Blow your nose, inhale steam, gargle with salt and warm water, raise the humidity, diffuse essential oils, drink warm liquids. Remember dehydration is also bad, so make sure to drink a lot of water.
If your doctor diagnoses an allergy, allergy medications may help address the problem of excess mucus. Be aware of your swallowing and if you think something unusual is happening get medical advice. Another tip is not to eat a large meal before going to bed as this can cause indigestion and the production of more mucus.
Fairview Adult Day Care Center in Brooklyn NY pays close attention to the symptoms and causes of excess mucus as part of its comprehensive medical care regime. We provide education and guidance as to how to manage health issues in the elderly as well as people with neurological conditions.
This article is for educational and informational purpose only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. For any questions about your own health condition, speak to a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
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15 Comments
D C February 10, 2022 at 7:01 pm - Reply
I have nothing medical wrong but have an over excessive amount of phlegm all time
amdow April 21, 2022 at 11:46 am - Reply
Almost certainly from allergies
Fahad November 1, 2022 at 1:58 pm - Reply
This is exactly the same situation with me, I can’t believe this!
Sam I am May 10, 2022 at 3:41 am - Reply
My friend constantly has phlegm running at the back if his throat, he coughs all the time. The medical team here in nz have no clue of how to fix it let alone diagnose him with anything. Hes been like this for 13 years! Enough, need to kill this.
Alexis June 16, 2022 at 12:34 pm - Reply
I had the same. It stopped when I changed country. Probably the climate wasn’t good for me or there were some allergens in the air, water etc.
Doctors are so overrated – basically useless for anything other than mechanical repairs as in joints, bones, ligaments etc. Cutting out things, putting in things, sewing you up again, prescribing drugs – that’s about all they’re good for.
David June 26, 2022 at 9:58 pm - Reply
I also have to much phlegm in my throat. I find pooping helps a lot.
Hans August 1, 2022 at 1:55 pm - Reply
I’m in the same situation it’s been going on for about 15 years no matter what I try nothing works and it gets annoying I get black outs lose my vision hearing and whole body tingels let me know if you find anything that work thanks
Kat Stewart August 4, 2022 at 8:32 pm - Reply
I’m realizing dairy causes some of this. Altho I’m down to 1% and only use a little in my coffee, it’s always worse afterwards–including with ice cream.😭 However, it’s gotten worse since starting Trulicity, a diabetes drug. One of its side effects is thyroid cancer, so hypochondriac that I am, I’m thinking the worst. Luckily, appt with doc next week. In the meantime, no more dairy.
Judy Damin September 11, 2022 at 11:42 pm - Reply
My name is Judy, I have been having this strong cough for almost 15 years now. Living with it is terrible when my throat is so very itchy. No proper sleep or rest. it’s very disturbing and embarrassing in front of people. Please help in any way.
Josh September 13, 2022 at 7:49 pm - Reply
Where you able to identify the issue with your recent doctor visit?
Mirza Khurram Baig September 19, 2022 at 12:05 pm - Reply
Black Tea, Coffee, food contains caffiene, Fresh Juices like Grape fruit, Oranges carrot apple. Green vegetables and salad like onion Ginger garlic etc can cure this.
Mirza Khurram Baig September 19, 2022 at 12:06 pm - Reply
Avoid Black Tea, Coffee, food contains caffiene. Use Fresh Juices like Grape fruit, Oranges carrot apple. Green vegetables and salad like onion Ginger garlic etc can cure this.
TruthCannon October 3, 2022 at 2:58 pm - Reply
Ok so basically stop ice cream and coffee my 2 favorite things
Great
Because sitting here sick didn’t suck enough(Insert sad face here)
Samuel Kofi October 31, 2022 at 2:08 pm - Reply
Frequently removing of mucus from my throat, sneezing, coughing and difficult breathing