Persistent mucus in the throat - causes and treatment

The accumulation of mucus in the throat is an unpleasant sensation that causes discomfort, especially if sputum is constantly collected. Many people do not pay attention to this phenomenon and do not rush to the doctor, hoping that the mucus will eventually stop accumulating and interfere with normal life.

Why mucus accumulates in the throat, what disease it may indicate and how to get rid of it, read on.

Why is mucus formed in the throat

Mucus in the throat or sputum is a viscous secret that is produced by the epithelium of the nasopharynx, as well as in the trachea and bronchi. This substance envelops the mucous membrane of the ENT organs, preventing them from drying out, injuries, and performs a protective function. Mucus in the larynx and pharynx is a natural reaction of the body to the inflammatory process occurring in it, a response to any irritant, allergen. When viruses, microorganisms, and other irritants enter the throat or nasopharynx, the mucous secretion begins to actively increase in volume and a person has a desire to free the airways from it and cough. In the presence of a respiratory infection in the nasopharynx, this is a natural process, a protective reaction from infection, and after recovery, the mucous secretion returns to normal. But, in some cases, the feeling of mucus in the throat is constantly present and may indicate a chronic disease of the ENT organs or a pathology of the digestive system. The term "postnasal drip syndrome" refers to the presence of mucus clots and a constant unpleasant sensation of a lump in the throat. Mucus flows down the back of the throat and causes discomfort. The flowing mucus contains a large number of microbes, which, getting into the digestive tract, when swallowing sputum, cause an upset and are accompanied by such unpleasant symptoms as:

Constant sensation in nasopharynx and throat of mucus.
There is a desire to get rid of it: clear your throat or cough.
Breathing becomes difficult, accompanied by pain, dryness, itching in the nasopharynx.
Mucus in throat, desire to cough, clear throat.
There is constant nasal congestion.
In some cases, a person suffers from a headache, feels weak.

Causes of constant mucus in the throat

Persistent mucus in the throat can occur due to various factors that are both infectious and non-infectious in nature:

Acute respiratory infections (pharyngitis, rhinitis, tonsillitis) lead to excessive formation of mucus in the throat, thereby clearing the airways of microbes, viruses, accelerating the healing process.
Chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract lead to inflammation of the larynx, nasal sinuses. The mucous secret is actively secreted and leads to the accumulation of a lump of mucus. Excessive accumulation of the mucous substance in the nasopharynx is dangerous because it leads to the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms.
Chronic pathological inflammatory processes of the lower respiratory organs (tuberculosis, pneumonia) lead to excessive sputum production. The secreted mucus makes it difficult to breathe, a cough with sputum appears, pain in the sternum is felt. This pathology is accompanied by headache, drowsiness, apathy.
An allergic reaction of the body to any allergen or irritant is accompanied by the accumulation of sputum in the nasopharynx, the appearance of a coma in the throat. Allergic cough goes away in fits.
Mucus constantly accumulates in the throat due to damage to the digestive organs. The cause of excessive secretion of mucus can be peptic ulcer, gastritis, or other factors that provoke the entry of stomach contents into the esophagus.
The cause of excessive secretion of mucus may be malnutrition, in which a person consumes a large amount of spicy, fatty, salty foods and spices that irritate the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. In addition, too hot food can cause mucus in the throat.
Smokers are more prone to intense salivation and bronchial secretion due to irritation of the throat mucosa by tobacco smoke.
A person can experience the feeling of mucus in the goal by inhaling polluted air, dust, being in polluted areas with poor ecology. Residents of industrial areas often complain - constantly swallowing mucus. Thus, the body gets rid of harmful substances through the formation of mucous secretions in the nasopharynx.

Persistent mucus in the throat: symptoms

With a constant accumulation of mucus, patients, as a rule, try to get rid of it by coughing or swallowing. With excessive sputum production, when it becomes thick and viscous, swallowing mucus can cause vomiting or nausea, as well as be accompanied by symptoms such as:

Feeling of constant burning and perspiration in the throat, nasopharynx.
Patients feel a lump in the throat that does not go away.
There is a desire to cough, with no relief when coughing.
A person experiences discomfort, pain when swallowing or eating solid food.
There is frequent sneezing and nasal congestion.
The appearance of an unpleasant sour smell from the mouth associated with the active reproduction of bacteria.
Perhaps an increase in the cervical lymph nodes, the appearance of a headache, general malaise and weakness.

Treatment of mucus in the throat

Observing the above symptoms in yourself, you need to seek advice from an otolaryngologist and establish the cause of the accumulation of viscous mucus in the throat. After establishing the cause, the doctor will prescribe an effective drug treatment aimed at removing mucus and eliminating chronic infection or inflammatory processes in the upper respiratory tract. In case of an allergic reaction of the body, consultation with an allergist is necessary. In any case, the treatment of the nasopharynx from mucus should be complex, since the mucous substance secreted by the mucous membrane of the ENT organs is only a consequence, and not a disease.

Methods for treating mucus in the throat

Gargling with antiseptic solutions to eliminate inflammatory processes in it. As an antiseptic, antibiotic drugs are prescribed, such as: Miramistin, Yoks, Geksoral.
Self-administration of these medications is unacceptable, as they have a number of contraindications, especially for pregnant women and children.
Sprays or absorbable lozenges against infectious diseases, such as: Kaeton, Ingalipt. It is worth noting that these drugs only temporarily relieve symptoms and require additional medications.
Immunomodulators - special drugs to strengthen the immune system and the protective functions of the body.
Plant-based preparations that help to separate sputum faster, after taking them, productive expectoration occurs. These drugs are especially effective for dry cough, in which it is difficult to get rid of mucus in the throat on your own. Among them: Tonzipret, Tonsilgon, Sinupret.
In addition to taking medication and fulfilling all the doctor's prescriptions, patients should stop smoking and normalize their diet, eliminating foods that irritate the mucous membrane of the throat and larynx from the diet.

How to treat mucus in the throat in an adult

Treatment of mucus in the throat takes place in stages, the doctor may prescribe the following treatment:

Washing the throat and nasopharynx with baking soda, furatsilin, a solution of potassium permanganate, infusion of chamomile or sage.
After the mucus is eliminated, a course of antibiotics or other drugs is used to treat the cause of the ENT disease.
To consolidate the therapeutic effect, physiotherapeutic procedures are used, such as irradiation of the nasal cavity with ultraviolet light.

How to treat mucus in the throat of a child

The presence of mucus in the nasopharynx and throat of a child is quite common. Since the mucous membranes of young children are very delicate and vulnerable, their treatment should be gentle.

One of the most effective ways to remove mucus from a child's nasopharynx is washing with a light saline solution, which is completely safe for the child's body. Salt solution has a wonderful disinfectant and antiseptic effect, gently cleansing the nasal cavity and throat from clots of mucus and snot.
If necessary, the doctor may prescribe the baby treatment with topical antimicrobials, observing the required dosage and duration of treatment.
Another safe and effective method of getting rid of mucus in the throat cavity is an aqueous solution based on protein and silver ions - Protargol. The drug has an active effect on the production of mucus secretion and kills microbes and bacteria, normalizing the normal microflora and metabolic processes in the nasopharynx.

How to get rid of mucus in the throat: folk remedies

With constant mucus in the throat, folk methods of treatment are widely used, which significantly improve the condition. Treatment of mucus with folk remedies using medicinal herbs takes longer and can take from 2 to 4 weeks.

Gargle for mucus in throat

Among the most effective folk methods of getting rid of sputum are gargling, which relieves inflammation of the mucosa. If there is an infection in the nasopharynx, rinsing prevents its further spread.

Rinsing with a solution of soda and salt with the addition of iodine. To prepare the solution, you will need 1 teaspoon of soda and salt per glass of warm water. A few drops of iodine are added to the soda-salt solution. Perform gargling at least three times a day.
Chamomile rinse. Chamomile is a natural antiseptic, to prepare a chamomile solution for rinsing, you need to brew 1 tsp of pharmacy chamomile with 250 ml of boiling water and let it brew and strain. Perform rinses every 3 hours.
Rinsing with calendula. To prepare the solution, it is necessary to brew 1 tsp of herbs with a glass of boiling water and set aside to infuse for about 30 minutes, then strain. With a cooled solution, rinse the throat every 3 hours.

Inhalation from mucus in the throat

Inhalations are a wonderful, effective way to rid the mucous membrane of excess sputum. To carry out the procedure, you can use a special device - an inhaler, or you can use improvised means - a pan, over the steam of which you will need to breathe, covering your head with a towel.

To perform the procedure, the following folk remedies are used:

Inhalation with mineral water. Mineral water Borjomi or Essentuki, which include sodium salts, is excellent for the procedure. Under the action of steam, the mucus quickly separates and relieves the patient's condition. The duration of the procedure is from 10 to 15 minutes.
Potato inhalation. To carry out the procedure, you will need a pan in which the potatoes were boiled. After cooking the vegetable, you need to knead it, add soda to the mashed potatoes. Inhale the potato vapors deeply as you lean over the pot and cover yourself with a towel. The duration of the procedure is up to 15 minutes.
Inhalations with a decoction of chamomile and calendula. For the procedure, prepare a decoction of medicinal herbs in the manner described above.

Compresses for mucus in the throat

Compresses are an excellent tool for thinning mucus and its subsequent removal from the nasopharynx. Warm vapors emanating from the compress have a therapeutic effect on the nasopharynx.

Take dry cottage cheese, if necessary, it can be squeezed through cheesecloth to remove excess liquid. Wrap the cottage cheese in a thin natural cloth and apply a compress to the neck area. Cover with cling film on top and wrap the throat with a warm cloth. It is recommended to perform a compress before going to bed.
Another effective and affordable method is to perform a compress using the Asterisk balm. Spread the balm on your neck and wrap it in a warm towel, perform a compress before going to bed.
A compress can be made from potatoes, which must be boiled, mashed and still warm, applied to the throat, wrapped in a cloth. After the vegetable has cooled, remove the compress.

Mucus in the throat is a common condition that occurs in both adults and children. There are a huge number of different reasons due to which mucus and a lump in the throat occur, therefore, in order to establish an accurate diagnosis and permanently get rid of an unpleasant ailment, it is recommended to consult a doctor. Only a doctor, after examining and examining all the symptoms of the disease, can provide the correct and effective treatment.