Having phlegm in your throat can be annoying and sometimes concerning. Phlegm is the thick, sticky mucus that is produced by the mucous membranes in your respiratory tract. It helps trap irritants like dust, bacteria, and viruses before they can get further into your lungs. But when there’s excess phlegm in the throat, it can cause coughing, discomfort, and the feeling like there’s something stuck in your throat.
What causes excess phlegm in the throat?
There are several possible causes for increased phlegm production and the feeling of phlegm stuck in the throat:
- Infection – Bacterial and viral infections like colds, flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, and tonsillitis can all increase phlegm production as your body tries to fight off the infection.
- Allergies – Allergic reactions to pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold can trigger excess mucus production. This is often worse in the spring and fall allergy seasons.
- Irritants – Inhaling cigarette smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes, and other irritants stimulates phlegm production.
- GERD – Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause phlegm in the throat due to irritation from stomach acid.
- Medications – Some medications like ACE inhibitors used for high blood pressure can cause increased phlegm as a side effect.
- Vocal misuse or injury – Overuse of the voice, yelling, or voice strain can irritate the vocal cords and throat, leading to phlegm production.
- Smoking – Chronic smoking irritates the airways and increases phlegm production.
- Pregnancy – Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause increased nasal secretions and phlegm.
Is phlegm ever normal?
It’s perfectly normal to have some phlegm or mucus in the throat. Your body produces around 1 to 1.5 liters of phlegm per day to help lubricate and protect the respiratory tract. Most phlegm is swallowed unconsciously without you ever noticing it.
Occasionally feeling the need to clear your throat or cough up phlegm is not concerning. However, chronic or excessive phlegm production could indicate an underlying issue.
When should I worry about phlegm in my throat?
See your doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Frequent coughing up of phlegm, especially if thick, yellow/green, foul-smelling, or blood-tinged
- Consistent feeling of mucus in the throat and need to clear the throat
- Worsening phlegm with cold symptoms like fever, chills, sore throat
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Cough lasting longer than 3 weeks
- Associated wheezing or chest tightness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Phlegm accompanied by severe pain or difficulty swallowing
These symptoms could indicate a possible infection, asthma, chronic bronchitis, COPD, or other underlying illness that requires treatment. It’s especially important to get evaluated if you have shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or phlegm accompanied by severe pain.
How is excessive phlegm evaluated?
To determine the cause of excess phlegm, your doctor will typically:
- Ask about your symptoms and medical history
- Perform a physical exam of your nose, throat, lungs
- Listen to your breathing with a stethoscope
- Check for signs of infection like fever or swollen lymph nodes
- Order tests such as:
- Chest X-ray
- Sputum culture
- Lung function tests
- Allergy testing
Based on the evaluation, your doctor can diagnose and properly treat the underlying cause of the excess phlegm.
How can I get rid of phlegm in my throat?
You may be able to reduce throat phlegm at home with some simple remedies:
- Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water to keep mucus thin.
- Use a humidifier – Dry air can thicken mucus, so a humidifier adds moisture to the air.
- Steam inhalation – Breathing in steam from a hot shower can loosen mucus.
- Saltwater rinse – Gargling with warm salt water can thin out phlegm.
- Cough drops or lozenges – They can soothe an irritated throat and loosen phlegm.
- Avoid irritants – Don’t smoke and limit exposure to pollutants, chemicals, and dust.
- Use a nasal spray – Saline sprays can help thin mucus.
- Take medications – Over-the-counter cough medicines or prescription medications may be recommended by your doctor to help loosen phlegm.
Practicing good respiratory hygiene like covering coughs and disposing of used tissues can also prevent infectious phlegm from spreading. But see your doctor if symptoms persist despite home treatment.
When is phlegm a sign of a serious illness?
While phlegm is normal, excessive or persistent phlegm, especially if thick or discolored, could potentially indicate a severe respiratory illness such as:
- Pneumonia – Phlegm may be rusty, green, or blood-tinged with high fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
- Lung cancer – Thick, bloody phlegm, wheezing, weight loss, and worsening cough may be signs.
- Chronic bronchitis – Daily cough producing a large volume of sputum lasting over 3 months.
- COPD exacerbation – Increased wheezing, cough, and change in sputum color/thickness could indicate a COPD flare-up.
- Pulmonary edema – Fluid in the lungs due to heart failure can cause severe coughing up of phlegm, difficulty breathing, wheezing.
Seek urgent medical care for breathing difficulty, high fever, or phlegm with blood or bad odor, as prompt treatment is needed.
What tests diagnose excess phlegm?
If a serious lung condition is suspected, your doctor may order tests like:
- Sputum culture – Identifies lung infections from a phlegm sample.
- Chest X-ray – Visualizes abnormalities like pneumonia or lung cancer.
- CT scan – Provides detailed images of lung tissue.
- Bronchoscopy – A camera on a tube inserted into the lungs collects phlegm samples.
- Lung function tests – Measure airflow to help diagnose COPD, asthma.
Blood tests may also check for signs of infection or underlying illness. Based on results, your doctor can accurately diagnose and treat the lung problem.
What treatments are available for chronic phlegm?
Treatment depends on the cause but may include:
- Antibiotics for bacterial lung infections like pneumonia.
- Inhaled bronchodilators and steroids for asthma and COPD exacerbations.
- Chemotherapy or radiation if lung cancer is found.
- Diuretics and other heart failure medications if pulmonary edema is the cause.
- Allergy medications for chronic postnasal drip.
- Lifestyle changes like smoking cessation, avoiding allergens.
- Chest physiotherapy to loosen mucus.
- Surgery if tumors or polyps are causing excess phlegm.
Seeking prompt treatment is key to resolving persistent phlegm and preventing complications. Work closely with your doctor to find the right treatment plan for your condition.
What home remedies help with phlegm?
You can try these natural remedies at home to help temporarily reduce phlegm:
- Stay hydrated by drinking 6-8 glasses of water daily.
- Inhale steam 2-3 times a day from a hot shower or bowl of hot water.
- Use a humidifier to add moisture to dry indoor air.
- Gargle with warm salt water to thin out mucus.
- Drink hot tea with honey to soothe the throat.
- Use ginger, garlic, turmeric in cooking for their antimicrobial properties.
- Get plenty of rest and avoid smoke, pollutants, and allergens when possible.
Over-the-counter medications like guaifenesin (Mucinex) and dextromethorphan can also help thin mucus. But check with your doctor before use if you have chronic phlegm or an infection.
When to see a doctor for phlegm?
Consult your doctor if you have any of the following:
- Phlegm lasts longer than 3 weeks
- Phlegm is green, yellow, bloody, or foul smelling
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Wheezing, chest tightness, or chest pain with phlegm
- Fever over 101 F with cough and phlegm
- Associated weight loss or appetite changes
- Phlegm interferes with sleep or daily activities
Seeking medical care is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment when chronic, excessive, or concerning phlegm symptoms are present. Prompt treatment can improve outcomes.
Conclusion
Having some phlegm or mucus is normal, but excessive chronic phlegm or symptoms like difficulty breathing warrant medical evaluation. While some phlegm can be managed at home, persistent symptoms may indicate infections, lung diseases, or other problems requiring proper treatment. Working closely with your doctor is key to finding the cause of bothersome phlegm and improving your health.