What are the common causes of chronic phlegm in the throat?

Question

Hi doctor,

About three months ago, I took my cat outside and met a lady. She did not maintain social distance. Since then, I have had an issue with excess phlegm and throat clearing and minor shortness of breath. The phlegm is sometimes yellow, sometimes white. I do not think it is silent reflux since I changed my diet, and that did not help. I tested negative for COVID, but the test was done much later.

I am 56, otherwise good health. I take herbal supplements into holistic health. Another doctor said it must be allergies, but why would it just appear then? My theory is it is something else that I caught from her that causes this. The minor shortness of breath appeared a few weeks later.

I need to intentionally take deep breaths to get a full breath at times. I have been doing breathing exercises. Any idea what could cause this?

Please guide.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Constant irritation in the throat with phlegm can be due to two significant reasons:

Allergic issues in the nose, wherein there is some irritative substance entering; thereby, the nose initially produces a sneezing reflex to remove the offending agent.

Besides, the nasal mucosa produces mucus to trap the offending agent so that it does not go into your lungs along with your breath. Irritative substances usually include dust, smoke, fumes, pollen, and animal dander most commonly. Take adequate precautions by wearing an N95 mask.

You may or may not have all the symptoms of an allergy except for the points you have mentioned. You can also consider the following:

Tablet containing N-Acetyl Cysteine, one tablet, two times a day after food, 12 hours apart for next ten days.
Tablet containing Fexofenadine with Levocetirizine, one tablet, two times a day after food, 12 hours apart for ten days. Salt water gargles around 8 to 10 times a day for one month.
Keep sipping on boiled warm water every two hours for the next one month.
Duonase nasal spray (Azelastine hydrochloride and Fluticasone propionate), two puffs in each nostril, two times a day for the next one month.

The other co-existing problem could be what we call chronic silent GERD with LPR (gastroesophageal reflux with laryngopharyngeal reflux) where are acidic gastric contents reflux back into your throat, causing inflammation, irritation, and often a laryngospasm. This often causes a foreign body sensation in the throat.

You can consider the following advice for GERD:

Keep a strict diet, eat on time.
Avoid oily, spicy, and cold food or beverages.
Reduce the quantity of each meal and increase the frequency of your meals.
Keep a gap of two hours between meals and going to bed or exercise.
Try to maintain a left lateral position when you lie down.
Take a syrup containing antacid, one teaspoon, three times a day before food for the next one month.
Tablet Pan-D (Pantoprazole and Domperidone) or its equivalent, one tablet in the morning before breakfast for the next one month.

Last but not least, plain medications will not bring long-term benefits and often results in recurrence of symptoms. Please try to follow all the precautionary measures as much for maximum benefit.

This typically takes around three to five weeks for things to subside, and if precautionary measures and medications are followed appropriately, I am sure that you will recover.

I hope I have answered your query in detail. If there is anything more you need to know, please do let us know, and we will get back as soon as possible.

Thank you.