Excessive coughing/mucus after eating

[Desertpoppy]

For many years I have had a problem where after every meal I immediately begin choking and coughing, which can last for a good half hour or more.  It feels like all of my air passages become blocked with mucus and I have trouble breathing.  Sometimes the coughing is so severe I end up vomiting or I often gag almost to the point of vomiting (It's very exhausting.)  It doesn't seem to matter what I eat, and it happens pretty much after every meal.  I have never been diagnosed with any kind of respiratory problem like asthma or anything like that, nor do I have any food allergies, but I was wondering if maybe I should tell my doctor about this problem and if maybe it is a fixable thing?  Does anyone else have a similar problem?

[kjsharks]

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[libnhelps]

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[leimalove]

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[JoeBorp]

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[Cleopatra100]

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[DANNY68]

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[juliemanker]

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[princeflynn]

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[jagg]

I have pretty much the same issue for about 3 years now. I was previously a "causal" smoker (weekends, occasioanlly during the week, peaking at maybe 2 packs a week), but have given up smoking for nearly a year now. I get this cough that feels like im trying to force something out of my throat (not the airway, i can still breath fine..). It is MUCH worse in the morning (especially in the shower...), and after eating. I also have a stuffed\runny nose that accompanies it. So when the cough acts up, my nose does aswell. It's pretty clear to me that it has something to do with the nasal fluid, but I don't have a solution. My doctor, while a very nice guy, is pretty set on just giving me antibiotics and sending me on my way (which didn't work, by the way).  I'd like to know if there is a way I can solve this myself?

[rawpower]

For a the last year or so immediately after eating dinner I have to clear my voice for a good half hour or so. It feels like phlem, but when I try to cough it out there isnt any. On a doctor's visit for something else I mentioned this to my doctor and he said it was common. Now it seems worse than it ever and is very irritating/fustrating to the point where I am posting this message. I now get it after lunch time and sometimes I have to clear my throat once in a while during the day. I figured that it is from myself still having my tonsils and I have a habit of sleeping with a fan on, so I figured the cold air is causing my throat/tonsils to swell or something. I am tired of this and want to find out what I have to remedy this. Thanks for any help. Thank you.

[rawpower]

For a the last year or so immediately after eating dinner I have to clear my voice for a good half hour or so. It feels like phlem, but when I try to cough it out there isnt any. On a doctor's visit for something else I mentioned this to my doctor and he said it was common. Now it seems worse than it ever and is very irritating/fustrating to the point where I am posting this message. I now get it after lunch time and sometimes I have to clear my throat once in a while during the day. I figured that it is from myself still having my tonsils and I have a habit of sleeping with a fan on, so I figured the cold air is causing my throat/tonsils to swell or something. I am tired of this and want to find out what I have to remedy this. Thanks for any help. Thank you.

[rawpower]

For a the last year or so immediately after eating dinner I have to clear my voice for a good half hour or so. It feels like phlem, but when I try to cough it out there isnt any. On a doctor's visit for something else I mentioned this to my doctor and he said it was common. Now it seems worse than it ever and is very irritating/fustrating to the point where I am posting this message. I now get it after lunch time and sometimes I have to clear my throat once in a while during the day. I figured that it is from myself still having my tonsils and I have a habit of sleeping with a fan on, so I figured the cold air is causing my throat/tonsils to swell or something. I am tired of this and want to find out what I have to remedy this. Thanks for any help. Thank you.

[ThankGodNotAlone]

I have had almost identical symptoms for almost 4 yrs!  I am a 32 yr old woman, and it seems like it all started after a nose injury/nosebleed.  It took forever to heal (months), kept bleeding, crusting, etc.  Eventually I ended up w/ a perforated septum, and it seems like ever since then, I have a literally CONSTANT need to cough up/get rid of ridiculous amounts of phlegm...particularly after eating or drinking anything at all.  It's so horrible, I don't know what to do!  I am a smoker, but was a smoker for years prior to this happening and never experienced anything like this.  I also often (several times daily), in addition to the constant phlegm/spitting issue, will cough up (not from lungs...I can sometimes actually feel it coming down through my sinus cavity...hurts if it's especially thick or sticky) brown and/or green little spots/chunks of sticky mucous.  What's strange is that it is often in little round, smooth/shiny-appearing pieces.  It's so gross!  The cough is accompanied by a definite "rattling" sound (my signal that these weird colored things will be in the sputum).  But like I said, it doesn't seem or feel like it's from my chest...just my throat and sinuses.  It's really disrupting my life more than ever, as it's getting worse all the time.  It's so embarassing, because it's often uncontrollable.  I'm sure many people think I have some kind of a nervous habit of constantly clearing my throat, and often can't wait to be alone in my bathroom or in my car so I can just let loose w/ the coughing and hacking to just GET RID OF IT!  What do I do?  I'm so worried...

[Jimbob60]

I too have this throat clearing problem occuring roughly 30 minutes after eating and around one hour after arising from bed, since June 2001 (no previous problems prior to this date). I usually have three phases of throat clearing per day, one after breakfast, lunch, then supper. The mucus does not feel as if it approaching from the back of the nose (no post nasal drip sensation - that's not to rule it out though) - I'm not sure where it is coming from. Starts with mild constriction and a tickle at the base of my throat, and gradually turns into a build up of phlegm. I rarely cough up anything substantial, usually just something very small, cloudy colour and sticky. I have red spots at the back of my throat (pharangytis from phlegm).

Here is the order of diagnosis I've had so far:
- Asthma dx by MD (2001 - non-steriod inhaler - I consider a
   false diagnosis!..based on slightly low exhilation test)
- Sinusitis diagnosis by MD ( 2002 - tried antibiotic/steriod  
   spray combo but failed)
- Rhinosinusitis by ENT ( 2002 - Nasonex steriod spray failed)
- GERD by ENT (since Feb 2004 up to present day - Lansoprazole
   30MG per day - no significant improvement yet).

ENT has put an endoscope down my nose and said there was nothing to see. CT scans showed nothing. Even had a septoplasty December 2003 which did absolutely nothing. I've had allergy tests for grasses, trees etc but I'm not allergic, nor do I have any known stomach/digestion problems. I'm a 25 yr old male in the UK.

I'm 90% sure it's either PND or GERD but how can a definateley tell ? Anyone else had any joy at fixing this problem ?

This pretty much sums it up: www.doctorhoffman.com/xglobus.htm

[lethallee]

PLEASE READ MY RESPONSE TO "MILES B 09/15/2003 Q. PHLEGM BUILD UP IN THROAT-SINUSES CLEAR.

[trinitarian]

Ok..I am not alone in this matter. I have been having this problem with excessive SNOT after eating or drinking (even water). I don't think it's GERD because I don't get the burn that would be associated with a GERD. From what I have read thus far, multiple people have this problem and have tried about everything to cure it. It's annoying as hell for me. Nothing is worse than eating and then having to constantly clear my throat for 30 minutes or more. It doesn't matter what I eat. Hell I can drink water and get this influx of mucous at times. It's really horrible when someone comes up to me and they talk to me and I try to talk back and I'm making this gurgling noise of SNOT on my voicebox. I hope someone comes up with a cure soon. I was told that Oil of Oregano will work, but thus far I've not stuck to it. I've got the (wild Mediterranean) Oil of Oregano capsules at $20 for a 60 count. I shall see if this works...

[Veniceangel]

I have had this problem for about 6 years.  It started out after I visited the Palm Springs area from Colorado (I have always lived in Southern Calif near the beach) except for a period of 5 years.  It started with a really weird stringy stuff at the back of my throat.  For years I accepted that I had post nasal drip. I have used everything you can think of.  Prescription, over the counter, etc.  Nothing ever helped.  I have always had a frog in my throat but now I have a feeling like something is stuck in my throat.  I have been to several different type of drs.  ENT, gastro, etc.  I am now living  in the palm springs area.  Now I have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia and reflux.  I don't really get the stringy stuff in my throat but the phlegm is still there.  I get heartburn occasionally.  It is weird but when I get in the swimming pool and especially a hot tub I feel like I am going to suffocate. I also have respiratory issues.  Not severe but just enough to be a real pain in the neck.  I vote for a club for us 'MUCOUS MAKERS".  I am so sick and tired to going to the Dr. and health food stores.

Anyway, thought I would comment. I just found this site.
Have a good one!!!