Phlegm in the Throat: What are the Causes?

in the throat - also known as post-nasal phlegm - represents the consequence of an "excessive production of mucus by the secreting glands present in the upper airways.

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More precisely, the phlegm represents what is defined as a pathological secretion of the aforementioned glands, caused by factors of different origin and nature (colds, allergic diseases, etc.).

The presence of phlegm in the throat can create considerable discomfort in the patient who suffers from it, putting him in a position to feel the continuous need to expel the above secretion through coughing (defense mechanism implemented by the body in order to free the airways from the presence of foreign bodies) All this can negatively affect the patient's quality of life, even hindering his night's rest.

To eliminate the annoying phlegm in the throat, it is necessary to identify exactly which cause caused it, in order to be able to establish an adequate therapy.

performs very important functions, such as maintaining the right degree of humidity in the nasal mucosa and trapping dust, particles and pathogenic microorganisms inhaled with normal breathing. The mucus thus produced (in adequate and not excessive quantities) normally ends up in the throat where it is swallowed unconsciously. All these phenomena are to be considered physiological and, indeed, fundamental for the well-being of the airways themselves. However, when these are subjected to insults and undergo inflammatory processes, the secreting glands begin to produce large quantities of mucus which is transformed in a pathological secretion (called phlegm, in fact) characterized by a denser and viscous consistency compared to normal conditions. This secretion tends to stick to the mucous membranes, it can drain in the front part of the nose, giving rise to the phenomenon of rhinorrhea, or at the level retronasal giving rise to the so-called phlegm in the throat.

The phlegm in the throat, therefore, can be considered as the symptom of an inflammatory process that has developed in the upper airways.

). This inflammation can be caused by various causes, including:

• Infections: phlegm in the throat is a typical symptom of various infections of a bacterial or viral nature. Examples of infectious diseases that can favor the appearance of phlegm in the throat are colds (common cold, flu, etc.) caused by different types of viruses.