Phlegm After Eating

[vjamison81]

I have horrid Phlegm buildup in my throat.  i started a new job 6 months ago, where i am basically calling people all day, i never had this problem before.  however, the worst time i get it, is after i eat-i literally feel like i cannot function for a 1/2 hour  to an hour after lunch.  it does this to me, no matter what food i eat-i keep clearing my throat sounding like an iditiot, because i've the only one that does it.

my boyfriend tells me "i have the same problem you do, i just handle it differently." which i think is a bunch of crock-i've looked things up, i've been drinking water like crazy, it's good for my bladder, but it doesn't seem to do anything for my throat.  i remember being horribly sick a while back, with a bad upper respiroty infection, i've had them before, but something must of lingered, because it's just really bad.  i don't want to spend $20 at the Dr's for him to tell me i need to drink more water, lay off certian foods, or what not.

i am going to pick up some nasal cleansing stuff at the store, and see if it'll help, but i'm afraid it won't do anything.  what else can be done, this is effecting my job performance, not being able to function on the phone.

[National Jewish]

The most likely source of your phlegm is your nose and sinuses.  When nasal polyps develop, they can contribute significantly to the phlegm production.  That is always a possibility, especially when allergy is contributing to the problem.  And that raises the question of the onset of your problem seeming to coincide with your new job.  There could be something in that environment, either allergen or irritant such as formaldehyde, which is causing your problem.  And, this could happen without affecting your co-workers.  Take a careful look at both your work and your home environment to see if anything comes to mind.

Nasal washes to cleanse the nose and sinuses can be very effective.  You should follow-through on that.  The other thing that could reduce mucus production would be the use of an inhaled nasal steroid, but those are still prescription only.  When a nasal steroid spray is used regularly it can prevent postnasal drip.  However it does not provide immediate relief of symptoms.  It may need to be used every day for several weeks to months to notice improvement in the symptoms.  To get the most help from any nasal spray first do a nasal wash to remove mucus from the nose and sinuses.  To learn more about this technique please read our nasal wash treatment information by copying and pasting this address

http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/treatments/alt-ther/nasal-wash.aspx

into the address window of your internet browser.  Share this information with your doctor to see if you would benefit from this daily treatment.

Water almost never helps and the suggestion that you could handle it differently; that is, better, the way your boyfriend does is not valid.

You mention foods.  While you're checking environmental things, you might want to take an inventory of what is in your diet, looking specifically for something new, introduced around the time the problem began.

One other cause to consider is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), usually, but not always, associated with cough and/or heartburn.

Good luck.