Overproduction of Mucus in Throat Treatment

Mucus in the throat can be the result of something complex such as an allergy or a disease, or simply a response to a bad habit. Learn how you can put an end to it here.

Written and verified by the doctor Leonardo Biolatto.

Last update: 27 May, 2022

Having too much mucus in the throat is a very frequent but quite annoying symptom, especially in the fall and winter seasons. It’s usually temporary, but it can greatly irritate the respiratory tract.

However, mucus production is a defense mechanism of our immune system. It allows us to protect ourselves from bacteria and other microorganisms. In fact, it’s a rather nonspecific response.

Therefore, mucus in the throat can appear due to many very different causes that range from smoking to common allergies. However, although it’s something very uncomfortable that happens to virtually everyone, few of us know how to remedy it.

Thus, in this article, we’ll explain the main reasons why a person might have this excess mucus. We’ll also tell you about some simple ways to get rid of it.

Why does mucus develop in the throat?

As we mentioned above, mucus can develop due to numerous and diverse causes.

In the first place, the most common one is a postnasal drip. This is when there is an accumulation of mucus in the nose that eventually descends into the throat. In turn, postnasal drip occurs due to situations such as rhinitis or sinusitis. Rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa, which might either be allergic or non-allergic. For example, it’s very common in those who are allergic to pollen or have a common cold.

Similarly, it may be due to a deviation of the nasal septum. This situation is very common, as are allergic processes and smoking.

Yes, smoking is one of the main causes of throat mucus. This is because tobacco is a toxic substance that continuously irritates your respiratory mucosa. Therefore, you can only get rid of it if you stop smoking.

And finally, note that any type of infection can cause mucus in the throat. The most common ones are tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and even bronchitis. The body responds by producing mucus to prevent the microorganism from proliferating and worsen the infection.

Can you reduce mucus in the throat?

You don’t need to resort to medications for reducing the mucus in your throat. Many simple measures can help you either relieve symptoms or eliminate them completely:

• Try to be in a humid environment. To do so, try using a humidifier or go near a large body of water.
• Drink a lot of fluids.

• Try gargling with water and salt. This helps to slightly detach the mucus from the throat. You can also try using nose drops.
• To avoid throat irritation, it’s recommended that you ventilate the house or the place where you are. You can even try to go for a walk in clean, uncontaminated natural areas, away from traffic and smoke.
• Of course, it’s crucial to eliminate tobacco, since it is an irritant and one of the main causes of this mucus.
• Another recommendation is to keep your head considerably elevated while you sleep. You can use two pillows or a blanket to lift it a bit. Thus, you’ll prevent the mucus from accumulating in your throat.

Conclusion

Mucus in the throat is a very uncomfortable situation, but also quite common. It may be due to something like an allergy or a disease, or just be a response to a toxic habit.

Either way, avoid swallowing your phlegm. Similarly, blow your nose if you have either a cold or nasal congestion. This is because if you don’t then all the mucus in this area may end up moving towards your throat.