The Real Causes of Constant Phlegm and Mucus in the Throat — and How to Get Rid of It

Constant mucus or the need to clear your throat is usually a symptom, not a disease itself. The most common causes are postnasal drip, allergies or nasal irritation, acid reflux, asthma, and lingering respiratory infections. More than one cause can occur at the same time.

1. Postnasal drip

Mucus produced by the nose or sinuses can drain down the back of the throat. Allergies, colds, sinus inflammation and irritants such as smoke can increase mucus production. Frequent throat clearing and coughing are common.

What may help: treating the underlying allergy or nasal inflammation, avoiding smoke and other triggers, and staying well hydrated.

2. Acid reflux — even without heartburn

GERD can cause stomach contents to move upward and irritate the throat. Some people mainly experience throat clearing, cough, hoarseness or a lump-like sensation rather than classic heartburn.

If symptoms are worse after meals or when lying down, reflux becomes more likely. Avoiding meals close to bedtime and discussing persistent symptoms with a clinician can help.

3. Allergies and nonallergic rhinitis

Dust, pollen, mold, smoke, pollution and other irritants can cause excessive nasal mucus. Nonallergic rhinitis can produce mucus in the throat even without the typical itching associated with allergies.

4. Asthma or another airway problem

Asthma can sometimes present mainly as a persistent cough, while conditions such as chronic bronchitis or bronchiectasis can produce substantial phlegm.

5. Infection

A cold, flu, sinus infection or bronchitis can temporarily increase mucus. Cough and mucus can sometimes persist after the original infection has cleared. Importantly, yellow or green mucus does not by itself prove that you have a bacterial infection.

What you can do now

• Drink plenty of fluids to help thin mucus.
• Warm drinks can soothe an irritated throat.
• Use a cool-mist humidifier if the air is dry.
• Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
• If allergies seem responsible, reducing exposure to the trigger and discussing appropriate allergy treatment with a pharmacist or doctor may help.
• If reflux seems likely, avoid eating shortly before lying down and discuss persistent symptoms with a healthcare professional