Throat always having phlegm

[paulb104]

Hey :)

I've been reading a number of posts here, in the archives, about phlegm in the throat.

I have phlegm in the back of my throat all the time. I'm certain this is contributing to my snoring.

One extremely helpful post said that constant phlegm in the throat is comes from congestion that is above or below your throat.  If the congestion is in the chest this could be due to asthma. I'm not asthmatic, I don't smoke or live with a smoker, so that's out. The responder also said that postnasal drip is drainage from the nose and sinuses dripping down the back of the throat. I don't believe I have postnasal drip. Typically, my nose is clear and I don't had sinus pain.

During the summer I take allergy medication a few times a week, as necessary, but I haven't needed any allergy meds in about two weeks (thankfully!).

My goal for this post is to find a way to prevent the phlegm from being there. I'd accept a way to remove the phlegm, too.

The only thing that seems to help get rid of it is to not drink anything for a few hours and then take a few small sips of cold water. About a minute later I can hack up the phlegm and get rid of it. This usually works. If I time it right and do this before I go to sleep, my wife and I both (usually) get a decent night's sleep.

Another post had a response where the person said it could be a systemic Candida overgrowth, but I don't have any knowledge about this at all...

Might anyone have any info or advice for me?

Thanks for reading!

Paul

[paulb104]

PS I don't cough, I don't have difficult breathing, and there's no clicking anywhere. I also don't have the need clear my throat, even though I can feel the phlegm is there...

[kimhutcheson]

Do you notice it after eating: dairy in any form?  Sugar in any form?  or fried food of any form?

Candida is a type of yeast overgrowth, that is fed by the above.  Usually when out of control, your palate will itch, your nose, and your throat.

This is only from my own personl experiences, as I have problems with phlem.  I had candida years ago, and found out through my allergist, I was allergic to dairy, and molds.  Commonly go together as I understand.

[paulb104]

Hi!

Thanks for responding :)

No, I don't seem to have more, or less, phlegm at times.

I happen to have learned about Candida a while ago, for other reasons. No, though, my palate doesn't itch. My nose is typically open, and I don't have throat issues.

See my confusion about this?

[anglereva]

I have the same thing. Phlegm in my throat all the time. My allergist has me on Allerga 180 (antihistimine) and then I take sudafed (over the counter decongestant) during the day time and it seem to make it less of a problem. The allergist thinks it an allergy to something but I don't want to do the testing now. You could probably try an over the counter antihistimine instead of the Allerga (which you need a perscription for)....I try not to take the decongestant at night because it keeps me awake.

[dllfo]

I have the same problem.  I was initially told by my primary care
physician it was "post nasal drip" or something like that causing it.

After many, many tests, they don't know what is causing it.  I was told it is a discharge from my lungs and don't try to stop it.
My breathing problems drove my allergy doctor nuts until he told
me to go find a Pulmonologist, so I did.  He is one of the best in the USA.  Anyway, this Doctor (capital D out of respect) has already diagnosed me as having Vocal Cord Dysfunction.  Thru all of this I still have my discharge from my lungs.  If you find out what is causing yours, please let us know.  

Good luck with it....Dave

[dllfo]

My apologies if I am breaking any rules with a second post on the same subject.  I looked for an edit button, did not see one.

My wife just got home so I asked her about the discharge (she was with me during the Bronchoscopy).  She says the doctor looked in my lungs, then asked her if I smoked.  She told him never in my life.
But my parents were heavy chain smokers.  He said he could tell by looking in my lungs.  AND that is where the discharge comes from.

Sorry I didn't remember before, but thought the comment about secondary smoking could be important.  My Pulmonary doctor, who works with our sponsors, confirmed that comment yesterday.

I don't know if this helps you any, but good luck...Dave

[Cristo]

I live in the UK but came across your Post while I was looking for a Post for Nasel problems.

I also suffer from a continual phlegm problem and it is most irritating as one doesn't feel like swallowing it but spitting it out; not always convenient! I have been plagued for years with this problem with no proper resolution so anyone elses experiences are very helpful.

What I have recently started experiencing is a strange musty burnt woody smell in my nose. I havent smoked for over 7 Years and even then was only a casual evening smoker. I am on medication for High Blood Pressure control taking Perindaprol and Sotalol. Has anyone else experienced this strange sensation as a result of their medication or other cause ?

Any experiences would be most welcome.

Many thanks

[Tired2]

The mucus buildup comes every 3-5 minutes. If I dont hack up the phlegm I get ill to my stomach. I can feel the phlegm just sitting there, becoming a larger amount to spit out. I've never sought out any doctor over this matter. Thought it would help me to go online and find out if others have this problem. Many foods and drinks can irritate the problem. Sometimes I chew gum - it only cures the situation for a short time. And some gums don't work at all.

[Tui34]

Hi, I am logged on at 7.30am having been awake since 2am with this problem. This is the first time I have looked this thing up. I saw an ear nose and throat specialst who was not particularly helpful I must say. I can't spit anything up, I feel ill just thinking about that! Has anyone come up with something that will cut through the phlegm and allow one to get some sleep? I find it is much worse at night and if I have a drink of anything before bed I know I'm going to have trouble for sure. It is not allergy season here in New Zealand.

[grandmadeb]

I dont have a problem sleeping at all but I clear my throat every 10 seconds. Its driving my husband nuts. I wish there was something I could take to clear this up so I dont have clear my throat anymore.

[helpscorpio]

I have had this continous phlegm feeling in the back of my throat for about six months or so.  I was prescribed allegra, nose spray, and inhaler.  Though I am not stuffed up or have any sinus systems, he did see my nasal inflamed.  He suggested taking my allegra and nose spray religously for about two weeks.  At times it goes away, those are the times I forget I have the problem.  Then, there are time I just can't take it anymore, I can't breath. I rinse and gargle just so maybe it will clear, but no look.  Rinsing just burns since I have been scratching my throat as I been vigoursly trying to clear it.  One of the posts mentions about possibly being caused by dairy, sugar, or fried foods.  Come to think about it, I had dairy and fried foods today and today is one of my worst days.   I am not sure if dairy and fried food is causing the phlegm, but I am going at least try for couple of weeks to see if there is a change.  

It sounds like there are so many people with this annoying problem.  There is got to be someone in this planet that can offer a solution.

[HGM1507]

I have had the same problem for over 10 years and nothing helps I have high blood pressure and take the following medication:-
Simvastatin 40mg
Losartan 50mg
Omeprazole 50mg
Aspirin 75mg
Mirtazapine 15mg
Bisoprolol 1.25mg
Diazapam 2mg
I had a stent about 3 years ago and had my Uvula removed abot6 years ago but still the Phlegm persists. I soemtiems cant swallow and it feels as if I am going to choke I then geta panic attack and can be like this for a few days. I get realy depressedd and dont eat and drink very little during this period can anyone help?

  

[Animalman]

Im a smoker, i smoke every day 3-4 times a day, and not cigarettes or cigars... if you know what i mean. And on the weekends i smoke even more. I have been spitting up pieces of sometimes, white chunks, othertimes huge mucus "loogeys" thats are very dark yellow, almost orange or even rusty coloured. I have probably been spitting like this for about a year, more or less. Im underage and the fact that my mucus is already this bad, scares me since, i dont know what it really means. Does all that mucus/pieces, get expelled from my lungs? ive been smoking for almost 4 years.

To others who need some help with phlegm control, try MUCINEX, I live in Canada but its only available in the states according to my knowlege. It is a mucus thinner and reducer. Try it out.

Someone please help with my situation, what kind of doctor should i see? is this really irregular? What is my body trying to tell me with all these odd colored, sometimes partly bloody spits. Sorry for the gruesome details but i need answers!! Goodluck to everyone with this problem... its not fun.