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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Phlem
Answered by
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Phlem
by Pam47, Oct 24, 2004 12:00AM
Right now I have phlem in my throat that I can't seem to get out. It hurts to swallow. when i was brushing my teeth this morning I felt it try to come up. It only gagged me. My glands on each side of my neck hurt. I have taken some meds to loosen the flem, but I still can't get it up. What should I do?
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Oct 28, 2004 12:00AM
, Oct 28, 2004 12:00AM
Postnasal drip is drainage from the nose and sinuses dripping down the back of the throat. There could be several reasons for this drainage. One reason is an allergy. A second reason is a non-allergic, non-infectious inflammation in the sinuses that can linger after a cold. A third reason is chronic sinusitis. Postnasal drip can make it hurt to swallow as a result of irritation of the throat. You may experience the postnasal drip as a feeling of phlegm at the back of your throat that gags you. Typically this is worse at night when you lay down to sleep. Generally this irritation feels the worst when you wake up and gets better as the day goes on. The phlegm may "sit" there, especially when it is thick. It may not move when you try to get it out.
The fat content in dairy products can thicken phlegm. Generally eating dairy products with less fat content is helpful. Drinking plenty of water will help to thin the phlegm so that it moves more easily. As long as you are not on a fluid restriction you should be drinking 6 to 8 8-ounce glasses of non-caffeine non-alcoholic fluid daily. Clearing your throat can irritate your throat and make it hurt to swallow. When you feel the need to clear your throat sip some water to clear the phlegm.
An antihistamine can dry up the postnasal drip. However, it may make the phlegm thicker and more difficult to move. A decongestant like Sudafed® (pseudoephedrine) can thin the postnasal drip and decrease the swelling so it drains easier. A combination antihistamine-decongestant will do both. Check with your doctor to see which would help you more. Often an antihistamine and decongestant are taken only when the postnasal drip gets bad. It may be more helpful to take the antihistamine and decongestant on a regular basis.
A nasal wash helps remove phlegm and germs from your nose and sinuses. This can temporarily decrease the postnasal drip and lessen your sore throat. It is most helpful when done daily before using any nasal spray. A prescription nasal steroid spray decreases phlegm production by decreasing the inflammation of the nose and sinuses. This may prevent the postnasal drip and sore throat. A nasal steroid spray does not provide immediate relief of symptoms. It may require several weeks of routine use to become effective. Sometimes it takes the antihistamine, the decongestant, and the nasal wash followed by nasal steroid spray ALL used routinely to keep the postnasal drip from bothering you. Please read our Nasal Wash MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/nasal.html for more information about this technique. Share this information with your doctor to see if you would benefit from this daily treatment.
The fat content in dairy products can thicken phlegm. Generally eating dairy products with less fat content is helpful. Drinking plenty of water will help to thin the phlegm so that it moves more easily. As long as you are not on a fluid restriction you should be drinking 6 to 8 8-ounce glasses of non-caffeine non-alcoholic fluid daily. Clearing your throat can irritate your throat and make it hurt to swallow. When you feel the need to clear your throat sip some water to clear the phlegm.
An antihistamine can dry up the postnasal drip. However, it may make the phlegm thicker and more difficult to move. A decongestant like Sudafed® (pseudoephedrine) can thin the postnasal drip and decrease the swelling so it drains easier. A combination antihistamine-decongestant will do both. Check with your doctor to see which would help you more. Often an antihistamine and decongestant are taken only when the postnasal drip gets bad. It may be more helpful to take the antihistamine and decongestant on a regular basis.
A nasal wash helps remove phlegm and germs from your nose and sinuses. This can temporarily decrease the postnasal drip and lessen your sore throat. It is most helpful when done daily before using any nasal spray. A prescription nasal steroid spray decreases phlegm production by decreasing the inflammation of the nose and sinuses. This may prevent the postnasal drip and sore throat. A nasal steroid spray does not provide immediate relief of symptoms. It may require several weeks of routine use to become effective. Sometimes it takes the antihistamine, the decongestant, and the nasal wash followed by nasal steroid spray ALL used routinely to keep the postnasal drip from bothering you. Please read our Nasal Wash MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/nasal.html for more information about this technique. Share this information with your doctor to see if you would benefit from this daily treatment.
Member Comments (1)
by Oyetu, Aug 02, 2008 11:08PM
A related discussion, What do you recommnend was started.
