Throat phlegm can be uncomfortable, distracting, and frustrating, especially when it creates a constant urge to cough or clear your throat. Some people notice it mainly after waking up, while others feel as though mucus is sitting in the back of the throat throughout the day.
Although mucus is often treated as something the body needs to get rid of, it actually performs an important protective function. The tissues lining the nose, sinuses, throat, and airways naturally produce mucus to trap dust, allergens, microorganisms, and other particles before they travel
deeper into the respiratory system.
The problem usually begins when mucus becomes thicker than usual, production increases, normal drainage changes, or the throat becomes irritated enough to create a persistent sensation of mucus even when relatively little is present.
Common causes include respiratory infections, allergies, postnasal drip, dry air, dehydration, cigarette smoke, vaping, environmental pollution, and sinus irritation. Acid reflux can also contribute to chronic throat clearing, coughing, hoarseness, and a mucus-like sensation in some people.
