The causes of chronic\nthroat clearing include acid reflux (laryngopharyngeal or extraesophageal\nreflux), allergies, environmental irritants such as tobacco smoke and air\npollution, and asthma. If present for a long time, throat clearing can become\nhabit forming. When you clear your throat, you are transferring mucus from your\nthroat to your mouth and nose. We secrete up to 2 liters of mucus per day. This\nmucus and saliva is usually swallowed and excreted. By clearing the mucus back\nin your mouth and nose, you are sending the mucus in the wrong direction. Get\nthe mucus going in the right direction and drink water and swallow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chronic throat clearing\nis damaging. The trauma from throat clearing can cause redness and swelling of\nyour vocal cords. If the clearing is very extensive, small growths called\ngranulomas can form. If these granulomas get large, they can affect your\nbreathing and your voice and may require surgery for removal. The irritation\nand swelling produced by the throat clearing can cause even more mucus\nproduction, which causes more throat clearing. More throat clearing causes more\nstagnant mucus which causes more throat clearing, which causes more mucus, and\netc. This develops into a vicious cycle and this can be difficult to break.\nWithout a conscious effort to break the cycle, the throat clearing will not\nstop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your doctor may prescribe\nmedication and behavioral modifications to treat acid reflux disease. Nose and\nthroat sprays may be prescribed to treat underlying allergies or asthma.\nAvoiding possible irritants is recommended as well. However, without changes in\nbehavior, these treatments will not be successful. The following modifications\nare recommended:<\/p>\n\n\n\n