You often have the feeling of being embarrassed by mucus in your throat and can’t get rid of it? You are not alone. Where does this phlegm come from? Should their presence cause concern? And especially, do they really exist? If there are, how do you get rid of them quickly? Answers from Dr Jean-Marc Juvanon, ENT doctor, member of the French ENT Society.
Definition: mucus in the throat, what is it?
Mucus is actually mucus, in other words, snot secreted naturally by the mucous membranes of our nose and throat. These secretions may become thicker and viscous. They are then unsavory, bulky, and tend to itch, giving a furious desire to clear throat before spitting
to excrete unwanted phlegm. Some indulge in this practice without embarrassment. While others prefer to swallow them discreetly.
As a reminder, mucus has an essential role in our body: it protects our respiratory system. Not only it humidifies the air we breathe in. But its consistency also allows retain bacteria and other viruses that would try to reach our respiratory system by penetrating into our nasal cavities. And when the machine jams, mucus is sometimes produced in larger quantities and/or changes in appearance.
Concretely, the mucus no longer flows through the nose, it is expelled towards the back of the throat, thickens and generates mucus which obstructs the throat.
Yellow, green, transparent or red… The color chart of mucus
Normally, mucus is fluid and transparent. It is swallowed without our noticing it; We normally secrete it regarding a liter a day!
Changes in color or texture are usually related to a viral or bacterial infection. The mucus can then be more or less thick and viscous and take a color rather greenish or yellowish.
Red or blackish secretions, they betray the presence of micro-lesions in the throat, often linked to too intense scraping or too strong a cough.
Runny nose, fever, cough, headache… What can be the symptoms associated with these secretions?
Difficult to ignore the presence of mucus: they block the throat, scratch, sometimes interfere with laughter and speech. Even more unpleasant, some patients complain of a sensation of flow in the throat, specifies Dr. Jean-Marc Juvanon.
When these mucus are linked to a viral or bacterial infection, they can be accompanied by various symptoms: sore throat (when the mucous membrane is irritated), headaches, runny nose (rhinorrhea), body aches, fatigue, fever, etc.
When they are linked to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), they can be accompanied by heartburn and acid reflux.
What are the causes of mucus in the throat? What disease can cause the accumulation of this mucus?
As mentioned earlier, mucus usually forms in case of viral or bacterial infection (colds, sinusitis, angina, etc.) and disappear once the infection is overcome.
“When patients come to the practice complaining of persistent or residual discomfort due to the presence of ‘phlegm’, a clinical examination is therefore carried out, then, if necessary, additional examinations to ensure that there is no there is no discharge or suppuration from the sinuses (as is the case with chronic sinusitis). a nasofibroscopy (fibroscopy in the nose), or even a sinus scandetails Dr. Juvanon”. And to note:
Most of the time, there is no visible abnormality and the sensation of discharge in the throat does not correspond to any pathology.
How, then, to explain the unpleasant sensation complained of by many patients? Apart from any pathology, we can often incriminate the consistency of the saliva, explains the ENT doctor. “Some people produce too thick and too viscous saliva because they are dehydrated. In reality, they are not bothered by the presence of mucus, but rather by the consistency of their saliva”, he underlines.
At the origin of this problem, salivary dryness: lack of hydration, taking drying medications (including antidepressants), tobacco useor environmental factors such as pollution. Some people also have predominant mouth breathing : “they breathe more often through the mouth than through the nose”, notes Dr. Juvanon. Therefore ? The inhaled air is less humidified and dries out the saliva that lines the mouth and throat. “It can give the feeling of having mucus stuck in the throat,” confirms the expert.
Why am I bothered in my throat in the morning?
Many of us are waking up in the morning with a “clogged” throat. The explanation is simple, says Dr. Juvanon: we certainly tend to breathe in through our mouths. And who says mouth breathing says air less well humidified and feeling of mucus in the throat. In reality, it is simplya buildup of thicker, viscous saliva than usual. The solution, according to the doctor? Bet on a gargle rather than clearing your throat to expectorate the saliva deposit.
At last, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) can also explain the presence of mucus in the throat. “Stomach acid sometimes rises from the stomach to the throat, which can cause irritation of the mucous membrane. To defend itself, it will secrete more mucus, forming mucus”. Nevertheless this diagnosis must be made with certainty by a professional. Absolutely avoid taking Gaviscon® or Omeprazole® at all costs in self-medication to “eliminate” supposed mucus linked to GERD!
Is it serious to have mucus in the throat? Who to consult?
The presence of mucus in the throat should not worry. On the one hand becauseit is remediable. And on the other hand becauseit is often a simple sensation.
If this feeling persists and bothers you, do not hesitate to consult your general practitioner, who will redirect you to a specialist if necessary.
How to “remove” mucus stuck in the throat? What drugs can be helpful?
Faced with signs of viral or bacterial infection, it is obviously advisable to implement appropriate drug treatments. Same for GERD.
And if the sensation of “phlegm” in the throat is linked to salivary or oral dryness, it is necessary to put in place changes in its lifestyle:
- hydrate regularly and throughout the day ;
- performing wet inhalations and blow your nose to evacuate secretions;
- wash regularlyent his nose using physiological serum or specific sprays;
- tell your doctor the drying effect of antidepressants and find a possible alternative;
- limit your consumption of tobacco ;
- avoid exposure to pollutants ;
- etc.
Should you clear your throat and swallow or spit out this phlegm?
“The mucus does not protect the mucous membranes”, recalls Dr. Juvanon. And to answer: the fact of swallowing these secretions does not no health risk. On the other hand, it can be very unpleasant, even sickening and cause a gag reflex or the urge to vomit.
As for clearing your throat before spitting out your mucus… “It’s not formally advised once morest, but you shouldn’t do it too violently,” says the expert. Clearing your throat “strikes” it and creates irritation which in turn increases the secretion of mucus…