Why do I always have phlegm in throat? So many people ask this question, and since you have come to this page, we bet you’ve been bothered with the same problem.
Well, as you can read in What Is Phlegm, the main element of phlegm is mucus. That’s why many people refer phlegm to mucus and vice versa. The fact is, your body normally produces mucus about 1.5 liters every day. This mucus go down your throat without you even notice it, and it happens naturally.
The problem arises when your mucus becomes thicker than usual. You might think that you are having more mucus, but that isn’t the case. The truth is, your mucus or phlegm is thicker than before, and it has a different consistency. When it gets really thick, you might want to hock frequently.
While some people tend to have thicker phlegm than others, in general, thicker phlegm in throat can be caused by:
- Bad cold
- Allergy
- Food
These are the most common conditions that can cause a change of phlegm’s consistency. But there are so many possibilities why you might have thicker phlegm. That’s why to be certain, it’s better if you consult with your doctor.
Here are some possible causes of thicker phlegm in throat:
- Acide Reflux or GERD
- Acute bronchitis (viral or bacterial infection)
- Airway irritation
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Cold (viral infection)
- Congestive heart failure
- Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
- Epiglottitis in babies and toddlers (viral infection)
- Influenza
- Laryngitis (viral infection)
- Laryngotracheitis (viral infection)
- Lung cancer
- Pharyngitis (viral or bacterial infection)
- Pneumonia (viral or bacterial infection)
- Pulmonary edema and Pulmonary embolism
- Sinusitis (viral, bacterial, or fungal infection)
- Tonsillitis
- Tubercolosis
- Tumor of the voice box
Others:
- Pregnancy
- Dairy products
- Smoking
