Common "Throat Clearing" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Throat Clearing

Throat clearing is a normal response to some irritation or a feeling that something is stuck in the throat. This feeling can occur even when there is nothing stuck in the back of the throat. Throat clearing is not a medical condition but can be a symptom of a condition. There are many causes for frequent throat clearing, such as allergies, acid reflux, or a side effect of taking certain medications.

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What could cause recurrent mucus in the throat that does not respond to treatment?

Query: Hello doctor, I am having recurring mucus in my throat for years, that does not respond to treatment. I have to get it cleared with an external device. Secondly, I rarely gain weight but I tend to lose it fast. What could be the causes of two of my problems? Thanks.  Read Full »


Dr. Manisha Raghunath Auradkar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. Recurrent mucus in the throat can be due to an infection or an allergy. In your case, it is likely to be associated with an allergy. Avoiding the allergens would improve the condition and would help in the treatment also. I further sugges...  Read Full »

What is constant throat clearing a symptom of?

Query: Hi doctor, I am a 26-year-old male, and I have been having problems with my throat for over a month. I feel some phlegm keeps sticking behind my nose. I have seen an ENT surgeon who performed a nasal endoscopy, which all looked fine, with no inflammation signs on my voicebox. I am regularly clearing...  Read Full »


Dr. Sandeep Shrestha

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. As per your history, you are having discomfort because of the thick nasal discharge behind the throat, and the most common causes include allergy, viral infection, and cold climate. Treatment: 1) Tablet Levocetirizine 5 mg PO (after meals) hs (at night) for seven days. 2)...  Read Full »

Is excess accumulation of mucus in throat a sign of esophageal cancer?

Query: Hello doctor, For two weeks now, I have been clearing my upper throat of what seems like excess mucus. It happens every few minutes when talking but not when keeping quiet or sleeping. It almost feels like my upper esophagus fills with fluid when talking and then I have to clear it. There is someti...  Read Full »


Dr. Ajeet Kumar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Well, I do not think that you should be worried due to this. As you rightly pointed out this is not similar to common reflux that would otherwise occur in GERD. It is actually acid, however, they might be normal esophageal secretions that occur in response to GERD (g...  Read Full »

What causes a lump inside the throat that gives a crackling sound when pressed?

Query: Hello doctor, For few days now, I have a feeling of a lump in my throat, on the right side. It feels like a piece of food or a pill is stuck there, but I know there is nothing. When I press on the outside of my throat, there is a spongy and almost crackling quality to it that does not occur on the u...  Read Full »


Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. That crackling sound is from the laryngeal cartilage. Do not press it. Any foreign body stuck in the throat has to be removed endoscopically. You should visit an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist as early as possible. If you are sure there is nothing stuck in you...  Read Full »

Can unprotected sex for a minute cause HIV?

Query: Hello doctor, I had unprotected sex with an unknown woman hardly for a minute about a month back. After about four days, I got cold and a kind of sore throat, but not exactly sore throat. I got tested for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) after 15 days and it came back negative. Now, for the past o...  Read Full »


Dr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. The chance of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by single unprotected intercourse with a HIV positive person is 1/200 to 1/1000. It is very low. She may be negative, so she might have asked it. Probably, the test done was antibodies tests. It is considere...  Read Full »

What is the preventive treatment for frequent throat infections?

Query: Hello doctor,As part of the season change, I have developed a little rash in my throat. I have to often clear my throat congestion. Nothing else. Please prescribe a medicine for the cure and also some preventive medicine for the next one week so that I will not catch a cold or fever as I have an eve...  Read Full »


Dr. Geetha Priyadarsini Kamminana

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You can try the following. You need to do salt water gargling. Rinse your mouth twice daily with an antiseptic mouthwash like Listerine, particularly before going to bed. Take lukewarm water. You may have soups too. With regard to prevention of infection, ea...  Read Full »

I have been having episodes of dry cough since 45 days. What might help?

Query: Hello doctor,I am a 29 year old male. Since the last 45 days, I have been suffering from episodes of dry cough. 10 days back, I had a 102-degree fever for three days for which the doctor prescribed Paracetamol and a five-day course of antibiotics. The fever improved, but not the cough. I went ...  Read Full »


Dr. Ashaq Hussain Parrey

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your query. You possibly have had a viral infection of the respiratory tract and cough can persist for three weeks after the fever subsides. The white patches usually occur in smokers and are due to persistent inflammation of the throat due to smoking. �...  Read Full »

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