5-1-33 Nishijin, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture 814-0002
092-851-9893
Honda ENT Clinic
Ear, nose, and throat clinic in Nishijin
Today, July 17th
This is a regular consultation .
Coughing up phlegm / having phlegm stuck in the throat
"I feel like I have phlegm stuck in my throat," "I always feel like I need to cough up phlegm."
Do you have any of those symptoms?
「痰がずっとからむ」
「咳払いが増えた」
「朝になると痰が多い」
「風邪が治ったのに痰だけ残る」
痰（たん）は、気道やのどを守るために作られる粘液です。
しかし、炎症やアレルギー、鼻水がのどへ流れる
“後鼻漏（こうびろう）”などによって痰が増えると、
不快感や咳の原因になります。
特に耳鼻咽喉科では、
・鼻炎
・副鼻腔炎
・後鼻漏
・咽頭炎
・咽喉頭逆流症
など、“鼻やのど”が原因となる痰症状を詳しく診察できます。
Main causes of phlegm
① Cold/Viral Infection
This is the most common cause.
When a cold causes inflammation in the nose, throat, and bronchi,
The body tries to expel foreign substances, which increases phlegm production.
Common symptoms
·cough
• Sore throat
Fever
·snot
• Yellow phlegm
It usually improves within 1-2 weeks.
② Postnasal drip
This is a condition where nasal mucus flows down the throat.
"I thought it was phlegm, but it was actually just nasal discharge."
This type of case is very common in ENT clinics.
especially,
- I have a lot of phlegm only in the mornings.
- A feeling of something sticking to the back of the throat
- I feel like clearing my throat repeatedly.
In such cases, postnasal drip may be the cause.
Diseases that are likely to cause
Allergic rhinitis
・Acute sinusitis
・Chronic sinusitis
③ 副鼻腔炎（蓄膿症）
Inflammation occurs in the sinuses.
This is a disease characterized by thick, sticky nasal discharge that flows down the throat.
Features
• Yellow to green nasal discharge
- The phlegm is sticky.
- The smell is difficult to detect.
・Nasal congestion
Heavyness and fatigue in the face
In children, it can sometimes cause middle ear infections.
④ Allergic rhinitis
Even with hay fever or rhinitis caused by house dust,
You may experience a feeling of discomfort similar to phlegm.
Clear nasal mucus flows down the throat,
・Sore throat
- Feeling like you have phlegm in your throat
- Clearing one's throat
This leads to...
⑤ Pharyngeal reflux (gastrointestinal reflux)
This is a condition where stomach acid flows back into the throat, causing inflammation of the mucous membrane.
Features
- Sore throat
・Hoarseness of voice
Morning phlegm
·cough
·heartburn
This can happen even without heartburn.
⑥ Smoking and dryness
Tobacco smoke and dryness,
It stimulates the mucous membranes of the airways, increasing phlegm production.
especially,
- I have a lot of phlegm only in the mornings.
- Persistent phlegm for many years
Caution is advised in this case.
If you have these symptoms, go to an ENT specialist.
- Sputum that lasts for more than two weeks
- Something is stuck to my throat
- I can't stop clearing my throat.
• Persistent yellow phlegm
・I also have a runny nose.
- My voice is hoarse.
- Cough that persists
- I have a particularly large amount of phlegm in the mornings.
In an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) clinic, the nose and throat are examined together to determine the cause of the problem.
Examinations performed at Honda ENT Clinic
At Honda ENT Clinic,
・ Nasal examination
・ Throat examination
・Laryngoscopy
We will perform these tests to determine the cause of the phlegm.
In particular, cases caused by "postnasal drip" are very common.
Nasal treatment can sometimes improve the condition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Is having phlegm a sign of a lung disease?
It's not necessarily a lung disease.
Often, the cause is postnasal drip, where mucus from the nose flows down the throat.
Q. Is it okay to clear my throat to try and cough up phlegm?
Frequent throat clearing can actually irritate your throat.
Q. Do children also produce phlegm?
Children have difficulty clearing their noses, and the mucus tends to flow down their throats.
Symptoms such as phlegm buildup are common.
Q. Can it be cured with over-the-counter medication?
Temporary symptoms caused by a cold may improve,
If the symptoms persist, it could be due to an underlying condition such as sinusitis.
A word from the hospital director
The symptom of phlegm is actually mucus flowing down the throat.
Postnasal drip is often the cause.
In particular, if you have a persistent cough or phlegm,
A nasal condition may be underlying the problem.
Please consult us if you experience persistent symptoms that concern you.
