Postnasal drip refers to excess mucus that someone may feel in the back of the nose and throat, causing a constant need to clear the throat. It may lead to symptoms such as a sore throat and difficulty swallowing. Environmental triggers, such as allergies, cold weather, or dry air, may cause postnasal drip.
But phlegm that persists, worsens, or is accompanied by other symptoms may need medical attention. Call your doctor within a few days if you have white, yellow, or green mucus that occurs with symptoms such as fever, chills, coughing, or sinus pain.
What drinks remove mucus from the body? Water is the best choice, but herbal teas, chicken soup, and clear broths are good too. You'll want to stay away from drinks that could dry you out, like coffee, caffeinated (black) tea, wine, and alcoholic beverages.
In addition to feeling like mucus is draining down your throat, symptoms of postnasal drip include cough, the urge to clear your throat and hoarseness. Postnasal drip has many causes, including allergies, infections, pregnancy, medications and GERD.
Guaifenesin is used to help clear mucus or phlegm (pronounced flem) from the chest when you have congestion from a cold or flu. It works by thinning the mucus or phlegm in the lungs. This medicine is available both over-the-counter (OTC) and with your doctor's prescription.
Globus sensation is a painless (but annoying) condition that makes you feel like there's something stuck in your throat. It's a symptom of several health conditions like GERD, esophageal issues and chronic sinusitis. Globus sensation usually isn't dangerous, and it often goes away on its own.
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.
Diseases that cause excessive mucus production include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, bronchiectasis , and cystic fibrosis. Sometimes called chronic mucus hypersecretion or chronic sputum production, excess mucus can usually be treated or managed with home remedies or medication.
Carbonated beverages. If you have a recurrent phlegm issue, carbonated beverages may be worsening the problem. Carbonation drinks are full of gas, and more gas can lead to irritation and associated phlegm.
What is a mucus plug? Your mucus plug is a thick piece of mucus that blocks the opening of your cervix during pregnancy. It forms a seal to prevent bacteria and infection from getting into your uterus and reaching the fetus. You can think of it as a protective barrier between your vagina and your uterus.
If you have a long-term (chronic) lung problem associated with excessive mucus, or you have increased mucus from an infection, lying with your chest lower than your belly (abdomen) can help loosen and drain extra mucus from your lungs.
“You should spit it out to clear out the thicker mucus and open up the drainage pathways of your nose and sinuses,” Ramsadeen said. Chandra also recommends spitting mucus out. “The mucus that is coughed up contains irritants, allergens, and/or infectious organisms that need to be cleared from the body,” he said.
Catarrh is usually caused by the immune system reacting to an infection or irritation. This causes the lining of your nose and throat to become swollen and produce mucus. This can be triggered by: a cold or other infections.
Hot water. While it doesn't push out mucus as fast as chicken soup, hot water has also been shown to get mucus moving, and it's hydrating. You can drink water plain or steep with tea—such as chamomile, cardamom, or ginger tea.
If you go the swallowing route, your stomach acids and digestive system will simply eradicate the phlegm and any of the harmful stuff it might have snared. Sipping on water may also be a helpful way to clear phlegm from your throat.
Yes. While the presence of mucus may indicate an underlying issue, coughing up phlegm is a good thing because it helps clear irritants, allergens and infections out of your system.
The most common causes are tobacco use and asthma. Other common causes include fluid that drips from the nose down the back of the throat, called postnasal drip, and the backward flow of stomach acid into the tube that connects the throat to the stomach, called acid reflux.