Constant mucus in throat Causes and Treatments

Constant mucus in throat is really annoying and disturbing. Throat mucus in excessive amounts is caused by many disorders ranging from simple allergies to serious inflammatory disorders. So, you need to know what exactly is going on in your body and what exactly should you do to clear up the mucus in throat.

What is mucus (phlegm)?

I am going on speaking about the mucus and the way it annoys us. But, at first o you know what is mucus? Mucus is nothing but a sticky gel like substance which is normally produced in our body.

Do you where does mucus come from in our body? It is produced by the respiratory tract, sinuses, and throat.

Mucus protects our respiratory system, lungs, throat, and sinuses from drying out. Do you know that more than 1 liter of mucus in produced in our body every single day?

Mucus protects our respiratory tracts and other parts from harmful microbes like bacteria and viruses from entering our body. Mucus also protects our body from many allergic reactions. Sometimes mucus is also referred to as phlegm.

Constant mucus in throat Causes:

There are many causes of mucus buildup in throat. Although mucus is produced in our body normally, we need to worry if there is a change in the color, consistency, smell or the volume of throat mucus. There are many different causes for the formation of thick mucus in throat. Let us look at some of the most common causes.

Tonsillitis:

It is the inflammation or swelling of the tonsils. Tonsils prevent the entry of microbes into the respiratory tract. But, sometimes tonsils become infected and lead to tonsillitis.

In tonsillitis, there is constant mucus in throat in addition to many other symptoms like throat pain, swelling, and redness of tonsils, difficulty swallowing or dysphagia. Sometimes you might even find it difficult to breathe.

Postnasal drip:

Normally mucus is produced by all parts of the respiratory system. But, sometimes excessive mucus in throat is produced due to various causes like allergies, flu, sinusitis, drugs and foods, etc. When excessive mucus is produced, it can drain back from the nose into the throat. This is called postnasal drip and it leads to mucus buildup in

When excessive mucus is produced, it can drain back from the nose into the throat. This is called postnasal drip and it leads to mucus buildup in throat.

Flu:

Whenever you suffer from cold or flu due to infections, your body thickens the mucus which is normally produced. This leads to the formation of thick mucus in throat.

Allergies:

Many people are allergic to many different things ranging from pollen to various foods like nuts, weather changes, to dust, etc.

Whenever these people are exposed to the allergen which triggers their allergy, there is thickening of the mucus which leads to constant mucus in throat.

Acute bronchitis:

Acute bronchitis is caused by microbial infections. It leads to the inflammation or swelling of the bronchi which connect the trachea to the lungs. In Acute bronchitis, there is excessive mucus production which builds up in the throat.

This throat mucus is coughed up constantly. Also, there are other symptoms like wheezing, fever, difficulty of breathing and discomfort in the chest. This infection can clear up in 3 to 4 weeks.

Pollution:

Our environment is becoming very polluted due to vehicle smoke, industrial pollution, etc. We find it very difficult to breathe pure oxygen or fresh air these days.

If we breathe polluted air for a long time, our respiratory system starts producing thick throat mucus to protect our airways. This also appears as a constant mucus in throat.

Laryngitis:

Laryngitis is the inflammation or swelling of the larynx or voicebox. When the larynx is inflamed, there is excess mucus production and mucus buildup in throat. There are also some other symptoms like hoarseness of voice, difficulty breathing, etc.

Pharyngitis:

Pharyngitis is the inflammation or swelling of the pharynx or the region which connects our oral and nasal cavities with the esophagus and trachea respectively. There are 2 parts of pharynx called the oropharynx and the laryngopharynx.

If pharynx s swollen, there is a production of excessive amounts of mucus. This leads to constant mucus in throat. It also leads to redness in the throat, throat pain, and difficulty swallowing or dysphagia.

Food allergies:

People who are allergic to many kinds of foods develop throat mucus in excessive amounts. Some examples of such foods are dairy products and soybean products.

As the dairy products like milk, yogurt, cheese cause excess throat mucus, people with these mucus problems and sinusitis are advised to avoid these products to a maximum possible extent.

Sometimes foods with gluten can cause throat mucus in people with gluten allergies. Also, some vegetables like potatoes and cauliflower can lead to excess phlegm in throat.

Smoking:

Do you smoke quite often? Smoking irritates te respiratory passages. In order to protect the airways, our body produces excess thick mucus. This is felt as mucus buildup in throat. Any kind of chemical irritant can lead to thick throat mucus formation.

Some other causes of constant mucus in throat:

• Croup (Laryngotracheobronchitis)
• Epiglottitis
• Infectious mononucleosis
• Pregnancy

When do you need to worry about constant mucus in throat:

Constant mucus in throat is caused by many conditions ranging from minor allergies to life-threatening conditions like croup and epiglottitis.

So, we need to know when exactly we need to worry about phlegm in throat. Let us see all the things we need to keep in mind when having mucus stuck in throat.

Clear and thin mucus:

Even the normal mucus is thin in consistency and has a clear color. Now you might ask me , why am I mentioning this as a problem then. Although clear and thin mucus formation is normal, sometimes the excess amount of such mucus or phlegm is produced due to various disorders.

Excess clear and thin mucus can be caused by flu or influenza. It can also be caused if you are allergic to any drug or food substance.

Green or yellow mucus:

Whenever there is any inflammatory process going on in the respiratory system due to bacterial or viral infections, the mucus becomes thick and changes color from clear to yellow or green. Sometimes it can also become brown in color.

Thick and clear mucus:

If your mucus has a normal color but has become very thick and you don’t have any other symptom, it can be due to your body becoming very dry and dehydrated.

Abnormal sounds in your chest:

When there is constant mucus in throat, it can move back down into your airways and lungs. It produces various rattling sounds in the lungs. They are wheezing and crackles.

These sounds can point towards various conditions like pneumonia or infection of the lungs, bronchitis or infection of the bronchial tubes, etc.

Burning feeling:

If you are suffering from any gastric problems like gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, constant mucus in throat is accompanied by burning sensation or heartburn.

Hoarseness of voice:

If your voice has become very hoarse, it means that your larynx is affected due to laryngitis. Sometimes it can also be caused by vocal cord palsy due to the infection of the vocal cords. If you are suffering from hoarseness of voice, be sure to visit an ENT doctor.

How to get mucus out of throat-Tips and Remedies:

Now you have seen all the causes of constant mucus in throat and also the reasons for you to be concerned about throat mucus. Let is look at all the possible ways to get rid of mucus.

Warm compress:

Sometimes, mucus buildup in throat can be caused by sinusitis or sinus infections. So, apply a warm compress over the forehead and besides the nose. This helps in relieving the constant mucus in throat to some extent.

Sleep position:

If you sleep horizontally on the bed, there will be mucus buildup in throat. In order to prevent this excess throat mucus, you need to elevate your head above the level of your body. You can do so by placing an extra pillow beneath your head.

Ginger lemon tea:

Ginger is really effective in reducing the throat mucus quantity. If you drink ginger lemon tea, your throat clears up instantly. Just boil some water, about 1 cup. Crush a 1-inch piece of ginger and add it to the water.

Then strain the water and add 1 spoon of honey and 1 spoon of lemon juice to it. Drink this warm ginger lemon tea to relieve thick mucus in throat.

Avoid foods that trigger allergies:

Minimize the intake of foods that trigger allergies in you. Restrict the intake of dairy products like milk, yogurt, cheese, butter, etc.

Avoid smoking:

Smoking irritates the airways very badly. Smoking also leads to throat cancer and lung cancer. So, avoid smoking to a maximum possible extent. Also, avoid exposure to chemical irritants.

Steam inhalation:

Inhaling steam is a sure shot way to relieve the constant mucus in throat. It clears up your airways very fast. You can also add Eucalyptus oil to the steam you are inhaling to make it more effective.

You need to inhale the steam at least 3 to 4 times a day. You can also add Turmeric powder to the steam inhalation. It is also an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent.

Drink more water:

Water flushes out all the toxins in the body. It also keeps you hydrated and prevents the formation of thick mucus which is caused by dryness of the body. Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day.

Few other tips to get rid of mucus buildup in throat:

• Use a humidifier in your room to keep your airways moist.
• Eat spicy foods like pepper, chilies, garlic, ginger, etc.
• Visit a naturopathic physician and find out about Neto pot and infrared therapy over the sinuses.
• Blow your nose very gently to get rid of mucus stuck in throat.
• Use over the counter nasal decongestant drops in your nose to relieve nasal stuffiness or congestion.
• Avoid all kinds of allergens that you are susceptible to like nuts, pollen, dust, animal dander, etc.
• Avoid visiting very cold places. If you happen to visit such places, cover up yourself very well.

You have seen all the causes of constant mucus in throat. You have also seen the reasons for you to worry and consult your physician. You have also learned simple and effective tips that help in clearing up throat mucus. Have you ever tried any such remedy? Do share your experience with us.