Eating food causes excess mucus

[real_classylady]

I was wondering if you could give me some idea of what i can do to ease the discomfort of excess mucus buildup in my nose and throat after eating all foods. All day I am having to clear my nose and throat I am also coughing up mucus that has collected in my chest. I am assuming it is an allergic reaction to all foods eaten but it is very worrisome. I have had food allergy tests done but nothing show up. Any ideas would be welcome. Thank you.

[National Jewish]

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 cause coughing as a result of irritation of the throat and lungs.  You may experience the postnasal drip as a feeling of excess mucus at the back of your nose and throat after eating.  The fat content in dairy products can thicken mucus.  Generally eating dairy products with less fat content is helpful.  Drinking plenty of water will help to thin the mucus 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 sore.  When you feel the need to clear your throat sip some water to clear the mucus.  An antihistamine can dry up the postnasal drip.  However, it may make the mucus thicker and more difficult to move.  A decongestant like SudafedŽ (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 what would help you more.  A nasal wash helps remove mucus and germs from your nose and sinuses.  This can temporarily decrease the postnasal drip and lessen coughing.  A prescription nasal steroid spray decreases mucus production by decreasing the inflammation of the nose and sinuses.  This may prevent the postnasal drip and coughing.  To get the most help from a nasal steroid spray use it after doing a nasal wash.  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 the 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.

[Force10]

I have exactly (to the letter) what Desertpoppy and Classylady is talking about...excessive mucus after eating.  I constantly have to clear my throat to breathe.  It truly is horrible.  I'm 28 (female) and it started when I was 12 years old. The past year I have been aggressively seeking a solution.  It is so miserable after anything is ingested to have to clear your throat for the next 30 minutes.  It's exactly what Desertpoppy said "I do get congested in the nose as well as lungs/chest and throat, and to me it seems like I produce too much phlegm immediately after eating and it blocks my air passages. It does not seem to be related to heartburn, nor to specific foods."

I will detail what I have come across so far........
I went to an allergy/asthma doctor. I wasn't allergic to anything except a few weeds and some grasses.  I tested negative for asthma.  I then went to an ear/nose/throat doctor.  I had a CT Scan of my sinus.  I even ate a big meal, knowing it would activate the mucus.  I could hardly stay still for the scan, but at least they could possibly catch the problem in the act.  The scan looked fine, still no solution.  Then she looked down my throat with this long rubbery thing that went in through my nose.  She found a very thick sticky mucus covering my vocal cords.  I was happy to hear some evidence to my symptoms.  She had me take Pepsid AC (thinking it might be acid reflux/ heartburn), even though an Upper GI indicated I had no evidence of acid reflux.  Within the last couple of months I've been prescribed Protonic, then Nexium and Claritin D together and if that didn't help (which it didn't) take Nexium by itself.  I have 4 days left and it is not helping yet.  

I am so desperate to find an answer!  I am going to seek help at a local herb store.  I think I am also going to get a second opinion of the ear/nose/throat doctor.  If anyone has other directions or thoughts or possibly solutions to which I can explore, prevent or cure  please reply.  

Note:  I do not smoke--never have.  I have never experienced heartburn.

Force10

[blondeviolin]

Have you considered acid reflux?  Sometimes acid reflux can play a role in your mucus production.  Do you experience heartburn, chest pain, or stomach upset?

[Concerned lady]

I agree with Blondeviolin! A person CAN have reflux, without feeling any heartburn at all! A high up type of reflux that doesn't cause heartburn, is called LPR/laryngeal pharyngeal reflux.

This LPR type of reflux, can irritate the tissues near the vocal cords, and the irritated tissues then produce more mucus (which was seen on your vocal cords). Even sinuses can be irritated by this high up type of gastric reflux.

I think you're right to look for a second ENT opinion--especially from an ENT who knows about the many effects of reflux!

Have you tried to keep a food diary, yet? This can help you to tell which foods you may be sensitive to. Food sensitivities (intolerances) are not the same as allergies. Food sensitivities can have delayed effects (minutes, hours, days). Food sensitivities can cause REFLUX, and then, the reflux can irritate the throat, sinuses, lungs, etc., with a lot more mucus production.

Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[crazy_kz]

Force10, I have gone through exactly what you have.  Kinda conforting that I'm not the only one with this.  Although my Dad seems to have it too.  Neither of us have come across any help.

Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) seems to be a road to further explore.  I've tried Zantacand Pepcid without results though.  I have no heartburn or sour stomach or pain at all.

For you, does coffee and tomato pasty foods make it worse?

Please let me know if you get ANY help or results.

[Amadeux]

I have exactly the same problem but I have to add that my voice has change due to this problem. Not significantly, but enough for me to notice. For example, I lost the ability to talk in false voice (like imitating a kid) and I get sore throat by just having a 15 minute conversation. I can't scream because it hurts.

I went to an ENT doctor and he didn't insert the scope into my throat but he made the "medical assumption" that my problem is allergies.

I went back to my doctor and she told me that I have the nose back drip problem described by someone else in this forum. She prescribed me Claritin D in combination with Nasacort AQ. Even though it makes me feel better, it doesn't cure my problem. It only suppresses the synthoms.

I don't have persistent cough. Sometimes I feel I would like to cough to release the material that's in my throat. I literally feel the phlegm at the back of my throat. I clear my nose and spit but what comes out is clear. Also, if I have a cold my throat feels a lot better and my problem seems to dissapear for a while!

If you have the same synthoms I would like to know because sometimes is scary not knowing exactly what I have. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[storch]

I've had the EXACT same problem and have been to the doctor (without satisfaction) multiple times.  A cold always seems to trigger it.  Weeks later (6-8) I am still coughing to the point of getting sick to my stomach if I have just eaten.  Eating food seems to especially trigger excess mucus production, although I constantly clear my throat all day long.  Gradually, over weeks, I "dry up" and become normal again until the next cold hits.  It's terrible.  I go through rounds of antibiotics, antihistimines, decongestants, etc. etc. and nothing seems to really be the answer.  And, I am not really "sick"--no fever, no pain, etc.  Just really disgusting, thick clear mucus.  Any suggestions to help?

[storch]

I've had the EXACT same problem and have been to the doctor (without satisfaction) multiple times.  A cold always seems to trigger it.  Weeks later (6-8) I am still coughing to the point of getting sick to my stomach if I have just eaten.  Eating food seems to especially trigger excess mucus production, although I constantly clear my throat all day long.  Gradually, over weeks, I "dry up" and become normal again until the next cold hits.  It's terrible.  I go through rounds of antibiotics, antihistimines, decongestants, etc. etc. and nothing seems to really be the answer.  And, I am not really "sick"--no fever, no pain, etc.  Just really disgusting, thick clear mucus.  Any suggestions to help?

[TEBOSSARD]

Hi
my name is Tom. I am 56 year old male. In the last 10 years I have been through every available regime for managing and or controling excessive mucus in the throat, nose sinus' with painful buildup in the chest whicmake my lower shoulders and back of neck hurts. All scans, allergy tests, reflux test, fondal pliction(tighting of lower esopogeal spincter) and I still heavy mucus. All precriptions have been tried plus all OTC drugs. I dont smoke or drink in 15 years, but did before then. The older i get it seems the worst it gets. All my Dr's have been high level recognizes in their professin in Boston  and Hartford. I have it year round and 24/7. I take a hot shower 2-3 times a day to gargle and clear current mucus production. Does anyone have the miracle answer to this health phenomenon. I also have tried all kinds of food diets and exercise plans. I'm coming up with its the low qual1ty of the air in general. I love 3 miles from interstate 91 and 5 miles from an International airport...i know im going way out on the limb....any ideas are welcomed........thanx friends............TOM

[toniann]

i have the problem of mucous in my throat for several months.  it comes and goes.  i've been to 2 doctors and they really do not give me an answer.  maybe allergies.  the ent said maybe it's acid reflux.  i do not have any kind of pain in my stomach.  not as much mucous when i lay down though.  it is very annoying cause i have to clear my throat and cough what seems like all of the time.  doctor prescribed allegra.  not sure if it works, because i have not been taking it regular.  i had this last year and it eventually went away.  please help.

[toniann]

i have the problem of mucous in my throat for several months.  it comes and goes.  i've been to 2 doctors and they really do not give me an answer.  maybe allergies.  the ent said maybe it's acid reflux.  i do not have any kind of pain in my stomach.  not as much mucous when i lay down though.  it is very annoying cause i have to clear my throat and cough what seems like all of the time.  doctor prescribed allegra.  not sure if it works, because i have not been taking it regular.  i had this last year and it eventually went away.  please help.

[dibrager]

I had a gastric bypass surgery in early April, 2004.  I have been waking up with my pouch (the new pseudo-stomach) full of mucus.

I am required to consume at least, on a daily basis, six cups of liquid to keep me hydrated, and at one ounce of fluid per ten minutes, this is an all day affair.  However, since the surgery and mostly because I was drinking COLD water, this was impossible due to the mucus.  

I discovered last night a post from someone on a obesityhelp.com post that HOT water or tea would cut through this mucus and force it to be swallowed.  However, in contacting my surgeon, they have prescribed me some medication that stops or reduces mucus production (My wife just went to pick it up, so I don't know what it is just yet).

Is anyone else having this problem and what types of techniques are you using for combatting it without taking pills?  With my micro-stomach, I had never considered all the blankety-blank problems I could have with it, the very least of which is that my medications now have to come in the yucky-liquids that I thought I had outgrown by being an adult.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!


David

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