What should I do if I have phlegm in my throat and can’t cough it out?

　　Having phlegm in your throat but not being able to cough it up is a problem that many people have experienced. That foreign body feeling "stuck in the throat" makes people restless and makes them prone to nausea and retching when brushing their teeth. In fact, this is mostly because the phlegm is too thick and difficult to be discharged smoothly from the respiratory tract. If this happens for a long time, it may cause throat discomfort or even chronic pharyngitis. So, how to deal with it scientifically? Don’t worry, the following simple and effective methods will help you get relief quickly.

What should I do if I have phlegm in my throat and can’t cough it out?

　　1. Drink more water to dilute phlegm

　　Lack of fluids can make phlegm thicker and harder to cough up. Make sure you drink enough water every day (1500-2000 ml recommended), which can effectively dilute sputum and help it be discharged with coughing. Warm water is more effective and can soothe throat irritation.

　　2. Inhale steam to soften phlegm

　　Hot steam can moisten the airways and soften sticky phlegm. You can pour a cup of hot water and slowly inhale the steam through your nose for 5-10 minutes each time ； Or take a hot bath and use the hot and humid air in the bathroom to relieve symptoms.

　　3. Correctly use saline to rinse your nose

　　Many people don't know that the backflow of nasal secretions into the throat (postnasal drip) is a common cause of "always feeling phlegm". Rinsing the nasal cavity with saline can remove bacteria and allergens, reduce secretions, and relieve the feeling of phlegm in the throat.

　　4. Patting on the back to expel phlegm to promote excretion

　　It is suitable for people who have a lot of phlegm but are unable to cough it up (such as the elderly and children). The operator arches the palm into a "hollow palm" and taps the back from bottom to top, from outside to inside, about 40 times per minute for 3-5 minutes. At the same time, the patient is encouraged to take deep breaths and cough to help loosen and expel sputum.

　　5. Diet therapy aid: Eat some lung-moistening food

　　Foods such as Sydney, loquat, lily, and white radish have the effect of moistening the lungs and reducing phlegm. For example, boiling a bowl of rock sugar and pear water can not only moisturize the throat, but also relieve the problem of sticky phlegm.

Causes of phlegm in throat

　　1. Respiratory tract inflammation and stimulation

　　Respiratory diseases such as colds, bronchitis, and chronic pharyngitis can trigger an inflammatory reaction in the mucosa, resulting in increased and sticky mucus secretion that cannot be discharged in time to form phlegm. Repeated stimulation by bacterial or viral infection or inflammation will aggravate mucosal congestion and edema, increase the amount of sputum, thicken the texture, and be accompanied by symptoms such as coughing.

　　2. Influence of environment and living habits

　　Being in a dry, dusty or smoky or harmful gas environment for a long time will damage the respiratory mucosa and stimulate mucus secretion to resist irritation.； Long-term smoking, drinking, and eating spicy and greasy food will also increase the burden on the mucous membranes and lead to increased phlegm production, especially in the morning or after meals.

　　3. Effects on the whole body and adjacent organs

　　When the body's resistance decreases, the respiratory defense function weakens, making it susceptible to pathogens and causing excessive phlegm.； Inflammatory secretions from rhinitis and sinusitis backflow into the throat, or gastric acid irritates the mucous membrane during gastroesophageal reflux, which can indirectly increase mucus secretion and cause a foreign body sensation in the throat, often accompanied by symptoms of the original disease.

　　If the sputum is yellow-green, accompanied by fever, chest pain, or lasts for more than 2 weeks, it may be a sign of bacterial infection or bronchitis and other diseases. You should seek medical treatment in time to avoid delaying it on your own. Do not abuse cough suppressants, especially those containing "antitussive" ingredients, as they may inhibit phlegm production and aggravate the condition.