Overproduction Of Mucus In Throat

Having too much mucus in the throat is a common but quite annoying symptom, especially in the fall and winter seasons. It is usually temporary, but it can greatly irritate the airways.

However, mucus production is a defense mechanism of our immune system. In this way we can protect ourselves against bacteria and other micro-organisms. Actually, it is a rather non-specific reaction.

Therefore, mucus in the throat can occur due to many different causes ranging from smoking to common allergies. While it is a very uncomfortable thing that happens to pretty much everyone, few of us know how to fix it.

In this article, we will therefore explain the main reasons why someone may have this excess mucus. We also tell you about some easy ways to get rid of it.

Why does mucus form in the throat?

As we mentioned above, mucus can develop from many and diverse causes. First of all, the most common cause is a postnasal drip. This is when there is a buildup of mucus in the nose that eventually goes down the throat. Postnasal drip occurs as a result of, for example, rhinitis or sinusitis.

Rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa, which can be allergic or non-allergic. It is common in people who are allergic to pollen or simply have a cold.

Sinusitis is the inflammation of the mucous membrane in the paranasal sinuses. These are the cavities in our skull, next to the nostrils. It is common for mucus to appear in the throat when there is an infection from a virus or bacteria in the throat.

It can also be due to an abnormality of the nasal septum. This situation is very common, as is mucus in the throat caused by smoking and allergic processes.

Yes, you read that right, smoking is one of the main causes of mucus in the throat. 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.

Finally, we note that any type of infection can cause mucus in the throat. The most common are:

• Tonsilitis
• pharyngitis 
• Bronchitis

The body responds by producing mucus to prevent the microorganism from spreading and making the infection worse.

Can you reduce mucus in your throat?

You don’t have to resort to drugs to reduce the mucus in your throat. Many simple measures can help you relieve the symptoms or eliminate them completely.

• Try to give your environment a good humidity. To do this, use a humidifier or go near a large body of water (such as a lake or the sea).

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Try gargling with water and salt. This helps to loosen the mucus slightly from the throat. You can also try nasal drops.
• To prevent throat irritation, it is advisable to ventilate your house or the place where you stay. You can even go hiking in clean, pristine natural areas, away from traffic and smoke.
• Of course, it is crucial that you avoid tobacco, as it is an irritant and one of the main causes of mucus in your throat.
• Another recommendation is to keep your head elevated when you sleep. For example, you can use two pillows or a blanket to prop it up a bit. This will prevent mucus from accumulating in your throat.

Conclusion

Mucus in the throat is a very uncomfortable situation, but it is also quite common. It could be due to something like an allergy or an illness, or it could just be a reaction to a harmful habit.

Either way, try to avoid swallowing your mucus (link in English). If you have a cold or a stuffy nose, blow your nose regularly. If you don’t do this, all the mucus that is here eventually ends up in the throat.