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Throat mucus, also often known as phlegm is a thick, viscous substance that is secreted by the mucus membranes of your respiratory passage. On average, the glands in your nose and throat produce about a liter or two of much each day. This mucus lines the sinus passages and performs many vital functions like:

• Moistening and cleansing the nasal passages
• Trapping foreign particles and keeping them from entering the respiratory system
• Fight off infections
• Humidifying the air

On most days, you swallow some amount of excess mucus without even realizing it. However, at times, the mucus can drip down from the back of your nose to your throat and clog it up. You will know that you are suffering from excess mucus in the throat, when you experience:

• Recurring irritation in the throat
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing up mucus

At times, mucus in the throat could also lead to halitosis or bad breath. This is because the substance contains a high amount of protein and produces anaerobic bacteria. If the mucus you cough up is clear or white, it means that there is no infection present in the respiratory passages. However, if the phlegm is yellowish or green in color, it could be an indication of an infection.

Mucus in throat is not a health problem but rather a symptom of an underlying condition. Mucus in the throat could be a result of several factors, some of which include:

• Allergic reactions
• Catarrh
• Chicken pox
• Common cold
• Croup
• Exposure to cigarette smoke or chemical fumes
• Flu
• Laryngitis
• Measles
• Mononucleosis
• Post nasal drip
• Sinusitis
• Strep throat
• Tonsillitis
• Whooping cough

When the mucus at the back of your throat becomes very thick, you may end up coughing every few minutes to clear your throat. Coughing or clearing your throat loosens the phlegm and reduces the discomfort for a while.

You could also try using a few home remedies to reduce mucus in your throat. Given below are some of the most effective home remedies and self-care options for throat mucus:

• Warm Liquids: Drinking lots of fluids during the day can help dilute the mucus, thereby making it easier for your body to expel it. Try to drink a lot of warm water with a dash of lime or honey. Other liquids like hot soup or tea are also good for thinning the mucus in the throat.
• Ginger: Several throat problems, including excess phlegm, can be treated with the help of this simple remedy. It is best to have some hot ginger tea and sip it at regular intervals during the day. Alternately, sucking on a few pieces of candied ginger is also quite effective in clearing out the throat.
• Oranges: Many people believe that oranges should be avoided in case of throat problems. However, this fruit contains a high amount of Vitamin C, which enables your body fight off the infection. Make sure that the oranges are not cold when you have them.
• Steam: This is one of the most effective ways of expelling mucus from the body, as it breaks up the accumulation of mucus in the throat. Boil some water in a dish and add let it cool down for a few minutes. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the steaming water and inhale it deeply for at least 15 minutes or so.
• Humidifiers: Place a vaporizer in your room in order to moisten the air, especially when you sleep. For better results, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the vaporizer, as it loosens the mucus and relieves the congestion faster.

While these treatment options are known to be safe with correct usage, it helps to get a doctor review these treatment options. In case the mucus continues to bother you even after a week or so visit your doctor.

References

1. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003072.htm
2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14516128