Excessive phlegm or mucus in the throat can be caused by a variety of factors, including health conditions, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Some of the common causes of excessive phlegm production include:
- Allergies: Allergies and irritants that lead to inflammation and increased mucus production in the throat.
- Asthma: Asthma can cause excess mucus production in the airways and lungs, which can accumulate in the throat.
- Acid reflux: Acid reflux can irritate the throat and lead to increased mucus production.
- Infections: Upper respiratory infections, such as the flu or a cold, can cause an increase in mucus production in the throat.
- Lung diseases: Lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) can cause excess mucus production in the lungs, which can accumulate in the throat.
- Environmental factors: Spending time in a dry environment, low consumption of water and other fluids, high consumption of fluids that can lead to fluid loss, such as coffee, tea, and alcohol, and smoking can all contribute to excessive phlegm production.
If you have excessive phlegm production, it is important to make an appointment with your doctor if you have any of these symptoms: excess mucus has been present for more than 4 weeks, your mucus is getting thicker, your mucus is increasing in volume or changing color, you have a fever, you have chest pain, you’re experiencing shortness of breath, or you’re coughing up blood.
