A cold does not always have to be the reason: Frequent clearing of the throat can be triggered by various causes.
Some should be checked out by a doctor.
Clearing your throat and coughing are typical symptoms of a cold.
Just like coughing, clearing your throat is a physiological reflex that is not triggered at the level of the lungs, but higher up in the larynx area.
It creates a strong air current that tries to transport a foreign object away from there.
However, persistent and frequent clearing of the throat can also be caused by reasons other than a cold.
Frequent throat clearing: Four causes that can trigger it
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Occasional throat clearing is nothing to worry about.
However, if you often feel the urge to clear your throat, you should have your doctor clarify the cause.
© Andrey Popov/IMAGO
Anyone who occasionally feels the urge to clear their throat usually has nothing to worry about.
Because that's completely normal.
However, the situation is different if you have to clear your throat often or even constantly over a longer period of time.
Then possible causes should be clarified with the doctor.
It is usually chronic irritation or inflammation of the mucous membrane, which can have various triggers.
Frequent throat clearing – Cause 1: Postnasal Drip Syndrome (PND)
One possible cause of constant throat clearing can be postnasal drip syndrome (PND).
This usually develops from a harmless cold.
The infection usually spreads to the paranasal sinuses and the frontal sinus, so that more mucus forms there.
When lying down, the contents of the sinuses empties backwards into the pharynx – also called the hypopharynx – and the secretion irritates the mucous membrane.
Therefore, those affected suffer from throat clearing and a dry cough, especially at night.
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Frequent hawking – Cause 2: Thyroid dysfunction
However, clearing your throat can also indicate a diseased thyroid gland.
Because with an iodine deficiency or an underactive thyroid gland, the thyroid gland is enlarged.
This narrows the space in the throat and those affected often have the feeling of a “lump in the throat”.
They usually want to get rid of it by clearing their throat.
Swelling of the lower throat, difficulty swallowing and shortness of breath can also be symptoms of a changed thyroid gland or thyroid inflammation in addition to a compulsive cough.
If there is a suspicion, it should be clarified with a doctor.
Frequent throat clearing - Cause 3: Reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux can also be a trigger for throat clearing.
In this disease, acidic stomach contents back up into the esophagus and further into the pharynx and the entrance area of the larynx.
The aggressive gastric juice attacks the mucous membranes there.
Another typical symptom of reflux disease is heartburn.
Every fifth German suffers from severe burning behind the breastbone.
Frequent throat clearing - Cause 4: Loud talking and strain on the larynx
However, it does not always have to be an illness behind frequent clearing of the throat.
Loud talking, for example, is also one of its possible triggers, as it
leads to mechanical stress on the larynx, according to
Apotheken Umschau Online .
The result of this is often irritation of the mucous membranes of the vocal cords and their surroundings.
This cause can be recognized by the fact that in most cases it is accompanied by hoarseness.
However, anyone who suffers from a rough voice should resist the urge to clear their throat in order not to get caught in a vicious circle.
Constant clearing of the throat leads to hoarseness.
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This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.
Rubric list image: © AndreyPopov/IMAGO
