Anyone else suffer with constant catargh/phlegm?

[Shybairns]

I seem to always have phlegm in my throat. I have to clear it before speaking most of the time.

Does anyone know why I have this issue and if you've solved it, how?

Hi Shybairns

I'm just guessing, but this sounds like over-production of mucus which is often diet related. Too much dairy, reaction to alcohol consumption (most common) etc or a combination of these things.

Could it be something like this? A friend of mine radically reduced dairy intake and found it worked after a while...just a suggestion. Hope you find a solution for you.

Thanks so much for responding 2Retts.

I have heard that dairy can be a cause and I probably have seen a correlation with alcohol consumption too.

Dairy wise I have a cup of tea first thing and then often a bowl of cereal for breakfast. Not good if trying to ward of the mucus.

I love all things dairy really although I don't think I consume laarge amounts on a daily basis.

I had a week or so of drinking alcohol every evening (a holiday!) and have seen the amount of mucus increase. (hate that word, mucus, gross)

Guess I'll have to be pretty commited if I want to make things better.

I hate to scaremonger but constant need to clear your throat of something phlegmy might just be a symptom caused by gastric reflux .
Where acid from your stomach is coming back up into your throat .

And I think alcohol is more likely to irritate your stomach into producing acid not mucus ,

Gastric reflux can be "silent" without the usual symptoms of heartburn.

Trouble is it can eventually cause damage to the lining of your oesphageus and needs keeping an eye on .

You might be able to check by sleeping propped up on pillows to keep yourself more upright for a couple of nights ,and not having anything to eat or drink for a couple of hours before going to bed .

Please dont ignore it and ask GP to check it out .

Hi I had this recently kind of after a cough that took a long time to shift. I found menthol sweets helped and I cut down the dairy for a few days. Also I drank hot water with lemon and ginger.

I found that these helped and took my mind off it and then it went away. I get a bit anxious about health issues and think partly I was thinking about it too much, making it worse.

From my research via Dr Google I agree with Ginger above that reflux can be a cause. Also nasal drip.

I think it would only be major concern if what you coughed up was blood stained and even then there are lots of non sinister reasons.