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

[Nerdmom]

I have constant mucus in the back of my throat.  I finally found an ENT doc that checked my sinuses by running a light up my nose and down into the sinus tract that drains into the throat.  Turns out my sinuses are very small and the sinus that drains into the throat is so small it can't drain properly.  I was told to use steroid sinus sprays, decongestants, antihistamines, etc., but nothing helps.  I ALWAYS feel like there is something just hanging in the back of my throat, am constantly trying to clear my throat by coughing or (and this is gross) sucking it down, but it never goes away.  I was wondering about some type of stenting procedure but don't know if they can stent this particular sinus.  I will be checking it out, though, to see if there is ANYTHING else that can be done.  I'm ready to just have them take the entire sinus tract out if that's what it takes.  It is the most annoying thing ever, not just to me but to anybody around me.

[Cindy731]

I have had constant mucus in my throat for a couple of years.  I just thought it was a symptom of my sinus problems.  My sinus specialist mentioned that the two main food allergies are milk and wheat.  A couple of months ago Dr. Oz talked about milk and how it can cause inflamation and other side effects.  I eliminated milk products and it really cleared up my mucus problem.  

[MsPhyll]

Sadly - we all seem to have the same nerve-wracking symptoms.
I read the ones who had the "lung discharge" which is CONSTANT phlegm, snoring, bad breath, windpipe-whistle/wheezing.
First stage COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Doctors asked me for YEARS, 'do you smoke?" each year was another year to claim freedom. 30 years smoke-free and this is the deal I get?
Well, things could be worse. I have a CPAP and must walk OUTSIDE thirty minutes per day to expand the lungs and get fresh air (good or bad) for the aerobic portion.

See here and take care of yourselves! I plan to be around another 50 years! :-) http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/copd/

[mrinapickle80]

I also have this problem. I used to be a smoker. I'm sure that might have been the cause. But then again, I come from a family of snoring males. I feel it when I wake up in the mornings. I have to clear my throat quite a bit. Is there any medication that I can possibly take?

[Ench]

Hello  -  I am experiencing the very same as you are having re a " minor sinus " problem.  Very aggravating to say the least.
I am scheduled to see my doctor tomorrow.
Will read a follow up if you send one and I will also let you know what occurs at my doctors visit.

Best wishes -  Ench

[dolma1954]

I always have a feeling of phlegm in my throat and to swallow. When I spit it, small qty of yellowish phlegm comes out followed by blood. If I keep spitting, the blood continues to come out. The ENT specialist said that it is a minor sinus prob. But the prob persists even after medication. Advice please- Vani