Our body works in an equilibrium position. From the blood pressure to body temperature everything is maintained in a specific balance.
As far as body temperature is concerned, there are different coping mechanisms for it.
The mucus or phlegm in the throat share the same purpose. The secretions are concerned with warming of the incoming air and keeping its temperature nearly equal to that of our body temperature.
But what if the mucus or phlegm is produced in excess amounts? What are the consequences of it? Is it life threatening or is it going to interfere with your daily schedule? What can be done to remove the phlegm in the throat?
So we will be discussing the ways that will help to get rid of phlegm stuck in the throat.
We will be discussing some home remedies that can help with the production of excessive phlegm in the throat. So without any further ado, let us jump straight into the discussion.
Table of Contents
Overview
To start with the discussion it is essential to consider that phlegm and mucus are more or less similar. The only difference which can appear is in the consistency of these secretions.
Phlegm is produced by the respiratory system, in particular the lungs.
The main purpose of phlegm is to reduce any chances of inflammation. The other major reason for the production of phlegm is to trap any potential irritants.
Having said that, it is pretty obvious that phlegm has lots of important functions to perform in the body. But the disturbance arises when these secretions are produced in a greater amount. So what are the main causes of excessive phlegm in the throat?
Causes of Phlegm In The Throat
There can be numerous causes of phlegm in the throat. This excessive phlegm will then get stuck in the throat. To put it here, here are the main causes of phlegm in the throat:
- Common cold
- Infections
- Allergies
- Asthma
- In some cases acid reflux
- Smoking
Be it any cause, excessive phlegm is disturbing in every scenario. So what can be done in this regard to get rid of phlegm in the throat specifically.
Let us find the best available options which you can try to get rid of the phlegm in the throat.
Ways To Get Rid Of Phlegm In Throat
1-Gargle With Warm Salt Water
The best and the easiest thing that can be done to get rid of phlegm in the throat is to gargle with the warm water. There are different ways to make warm saline water. But the one which is by far the easiest methods is as follows:
- Take a pan and add the required amount of water in it.
- Give it some boils and then add a teaspoon or half of common salt in it.
- Let it cool a bit and then gargle with this lukewarm water. This will surely help in getting rid of phlegm in the throat.
A study has also indicated that constantly using warm water with salt added in it helps in thinning the phlegm and it will be easier to get rid of phlegm from the throat.
2-Turmeric in Warm Milk
According to the top reviewed ENT Specialist in Islamabad, Dr. Muhammad Tariq “Turmeric is the best antimicrobial spice that can be used to get rid of excessive phlegm in the throat. It is fueled with a lot of antiinflammatory substances which can put those cells which are producing these excessive secretions to a rest.”
Using turmeric in warm milk at night can also help with the symptoms of infections and common cold.
There are many other amazing benefits of turmeric which you should be aware of. Read out turmeric benefits.
3-Eucalyptus Oil
Essential oils have lots of health benefits from head to toe. One such essential oil is the eucalyptus oil which is found to be very effective in relieving the cough and phlegm in the throat.
The aroma of eucalyptus oil is helpful in thinning the mucus.
The use of essential oils still needs some research as the use of essential oil (in this case eucalyptus oil ) is not approved or regulated by FDA.
It is therefore always preferred to consult the general medical practitioner before using them.
4-Bone Broth
Bone broth can also be used for treating phlegm. Bone broth or yakhni is the best source of energy for the body cells. Bone broth is also effective in giving a boost to the immune system.
It is known from prehistoric times and is still used in many parts of the world for many purposes.
So is the case here, bone broth can be used to get rid of phlegm in the throat. It will also help in improving the symptoms of common cold and infections. But how does this bone broth actually work?
Bone broth is richly supplied with many amino acids and these amino acids help in breaking down the phlegm and mucus. Then the phlegm or mucus is pushed out which will clear the air passageway.
If you want to get yourself updated on the preparation of bone broth and if you want to know other benefits of nutritious health drink, then read these powerful benefits of bone broth.
5-Herbal Tea
Herbs are always effective in treating certain ailments. Be it some common cold or be it some serious diseases, you will always find that herbs have a very important role to play.
Having said that, it goes without saying that herbal teas will also have a curative effect in getting rid of phlegm from the throat.
There are a bunch of herbal teas that one can use. Peppermint tea or ginger tea are one of the available herbal teas.
One can add honey to enhance the taste of these herbal solutions.
6-Honey
This natural liquid sweetener is also one of the best things that can be used for treating phlegm or excessive mucus in the throat.
Honey is deemed fit in treating phlegm due to antimicrobial properties. It will remove the infection causing cells and will keep the further infections at bay. Also the study has indicated that honey is the best option for treating upper respiratory tract infections which may include cough and phlegm.
Honey can be used in conjunction with warm water and can also be used with herbal teas. In every case it will give a positive and healing effect to your body cells.
There are many other amazing health benefits of consuming honey. Read the article to discover proven health benefits of honey.
What are the other things that you can do to prevent the onset of excessive phlegm in the throat? Well to discover all those precautions, continue reading!
Air Purifiers
Use air purifiers inside houses. Even in workplaces, it should be made customary to put in air purifiers.
Consuming safe and clean air will help in reducing the chances of excessive phlegm and mucus.
Along with it use air humidifiers which will help to keep the air humid and will add moisture in the ambient atmosphere.
As far as air purifiers and humidifiers are concerned, don’t forget to replace the filters.
Stay Hydrated
Try to stay hydrated by consuming plenty of fluids and liquids.
Warm water with lemon squeezed into it will help in keeping all the infection causing cells at bay.
If the reason for excessive phlegm in your throat is some common cold and flu then try to keep yourself warm too.
This can be done by staying indoors and by making the use of more blankets. Avoid going out in the cold as it can aggravate your symptoms and can cause thick phlegm which will then interfere with the breathing process.
Avoid Certain Foods
There are some foods which can also cause excessive phlegm in the throat.
Avoiding those food items will automatically help with the excessive phlegm or mucus in the throat.
- Acidic foods
- Cold beverages
- Dairy products
- Fried items
- Alcohol
Avoid Contact With Irritants
Try to avoid any possible contact with the irritants which can cause your body cells to make excessive secretions.
If you smoke then quitting smoking can also help in this regard. If you are allergic to certain perfumes or to certain scents then try to avoid the unnecessary contact with these fragrances. .
What’s The Takeaway
Phlegm or mucus is naturally produced by the cells. However if the quantity is increased, then it can lead to some minor complications. But following the above mentioned precautions will surely help in reducing excessive phlegm in the throat. If you still face difficulty in reducing the production of phlegm in the body or if you are observing a sudden increase in the production and you want to know the best way to get rid of phlegm stuck in the throat then make an appointment today with the best general physician and rule out any other underlying issue. To get yourself updated on health care issues, visit our website healthwire.pk.
