What is the Real Cause of Constant Mucus in the Throat?

Mucus protects the respiratory system with filtration and lubrication. Your mucus is produced by mucus membranes that run from your nose to your lungs.

When you breathe, viruses, allergens, dust, and other debris get stuck to your mucus, which is then expelled from your system. Sometimes, the body produces much of this mucus, requiring frequent throat clearing.

In this article, we will learn the leading cause of excess mucus production and how to deal with it.

Photo By Africa Studio

What causes the overproduction of phlegm?

Many health conditions can cause the production of mucus in excess. They include:

Allergies
Acid reflux
Asthma
Common cold and other infections
Lung conditions include pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Excess mucus production may also be due to specific environmental and lifestyle factors, including:

A dry indoor environment
Smoking
Certain medications
Low consumption of fluids, especially water
High consumption of alcohol, tea, coffee, and other liquids can trigger fluid loss

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

A deeper look at treatments

Do you know that some of the so-called treatments for chronic phlegm can even aggravate the condition?

Let’s consider antacids. A significant side effect of antacids would be constipation and acid reflux.

Then you have these other medications that work a little bit differently. They are called protein pump inhibitors. This medication stops the enzymes that produce acid.

Unfortunately, they also have side effects of constipation, gas, stroke risk, and C-diff (a kind of infection) because it is a pathogen, palpitations, and even high blood pressure.

There’s another side effect known as hypergastrinemia. A person with this condition has too much gastrin, which will cause an overproduction of acid in your stomach. So, you’re trying to get rid of your acid by taking a solution giving you more acid. Does that make any sense?

Another problem with these treatments is that they will remove acids, and you’ll have difficulty absorbing minerals like calcium and magnesium. This will, in turn, affect your bones and muscles, and the list goes on and on.

Other solutions include surgery, but some minor complications like the inability to belch or burp. In addition, gas in your digestive system is increased, translating to a greater need for more antacids and protein pump inhibitors.

It is important to note that the ultimate solution to a problem should not give you a bigger problem than you started with.

Photo By Suttipun

What is the major underlying cause of chronic phlegm?

The most likely root cause of mucus production is chronic irritation in the throat that triggers the cough stimulus, and nothing triggers the irritation in the throat more than acid reflux.

Acid reflux is caused by stomach acid traveling towards the throat.

If you have acid reflux symptoms occurring more than twice a week, you might have gastroesophageal reflux disease.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, GERD affects fewer than 20 percent of Americans. However, if GERD is left untreated, it can cause many complications.

What causes acid reflux?

There is no single cause for this condition. But the likelihood of it can be increased by a mechanism in your body.

There is a circular band of muscle in your abdomen known as the lower esophageal sphincter. It lies at the end of your esophagus. When it functions properly, it opens and relaxes when you swallow food. Then it tightens and closes afterward.

Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter fails to tighten or close as it should. This allows the backflow of digestive juices from your stomach into your esophagus.

The acid and bile get into your esophagus and irritate the back of your throat, thus putting you in a constant state of mucus protection. The mucus is trying to be formed in an attempt to protect against the strong acid that is dissolving your tissues.

So, in summary, the most likely root cause of excess mucus production is this chronic irritation in your throat that makes you cough.

The solution?

The solution is a straightforward one. The answer lies not in suppressing the symptoms but in fixing the root cause. The goal is to increase the amount of acid in the stomach. But, first, you’ll have to consult your healthcare provider on how to start to wean off some of these antacids (because acid reflux is one of the side effects of antacids).

You can ask your doctor what antacid’s long-term effects are and what’s behind these problems. I’m sure you’ll be curious to find out what they say, but they’ll most likely tell you it is stress, maybe genetics, and as we age, most people have these problems.

The best way to restore your acid is by taking something that will rebuild your hydrochloric acid, and there’s no better remedy than betaine hydrochloride.

You may have this supplement before eating, but there are some contraindications. For example, if you have an ulcer because this condition has gone on too far, or if you have gastritis (inflammation in the stomach) and take betaine hydrochloride, it will worsen the situation because the tissues are inflamed.

The best way to deal with this is first to heal the lining of the stomach, which could take anywhere between two to three months. Cabbage Juice, chlorophyll, licorice, and zinc carnosine are some natural things to consume to help with stomach ulcers.

Do you suffer from acid reflux or have to clear your throat constantly?

Disclaimer: Dr. Berner does not diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical diseases or conditions; instead, he analyzes and corrects the structure of his patients with Foundational Correction to improve their overall quality of life. He works with their physicians, who regulate their medications. This blog post is not designed to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, or services to you or any other individual. The information provided in this post or through linkages to other sites is not a substitute for medical or professional care. You should not use the information in place of a visit, consultation, or the advice of your physician or another healthcare provider. Foundation Chiropractic and Dr. Brett Berner are not liable or responsible for any advice, the course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or product you obtain through this article or others.