Why is there thick phlegm in my throat that I can't spit out completely, and what should I do?

Generally speaking, the throat refers to the pharynx. Phlegm in the throat that feels sticky and impossible to completely spit out may be caused by factors such as poor environment, improper diet, excessive voice use, chronic pharyngitis, or chronic bronchitis. Treatment options such as general care and medication may be adopted under a doctor's guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Poor Environment

When staying in a dry, cold, or heavily air-polluted environment, the respiratory mucosa can become irritated. Dry and cold air causes moisture loss in the mucosa, prompting it to secrete more mucus to maintain moisture. Polluted air containing dust or chemical substances may adhere to the mucosal surface, triggering a stress response and increasing mucus secretion, resulting in persistent sticky phlegm in the throat. It is advisable to avoid prolonged exposure to such environments. Using a humidifier may help in dry conditions.

2. Improper Diet

Consuming excessive spicy, greasy, sweet, or overly salty foods may impair the spleen and stomach's ability to process and transport nutrients, leading to abnormal metabolism of body fluids and phlegm formation. This phlegm may reflux upwards to the throat, causing the sensation of persistent phlegm. Maintaining a balanced diet, reducing intake of irritating foods, and increasing consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and easily digestible light foods can help the spleen and stomach function normally and maintain fluid balance in the body.

3. Excessive Voice Use

Extended periods of loud talking, singing, or continuous speaking can fatigue the throat muscles and cause frequent vibration and friction of the vocal cords. This leads to congestion and dryness of the pharyngeal mucosa, stimulating submucosal glands to secrete more mucus for lubrication. However, excessive voice use may cause uncoordinated muscle movement in the throat, making it difficult to expel the phlegm effectively, causing it to accumulate and feel persistent. It is recommended to schedule voice use appropriately, avoid prolonged continuous vocalization, rest the voice during extended use, and drink warm water to soothe the throat.

4. Chronic Pharyngitis

Chronic pharyngitis often develops from repeated episodes of acute pharyngitis or long-term smoking and alcohol consumption. The throat remains in a state of chronic inflammation, causing submucosal tissue proliferation and thickening, dysfunction of mucous glands, and increased production of thick mucus. Inflammation also impairs ciliary movement on the mucosal epithelium, reducing the ability to expel phlegm effectively, resulting in persistent sticky phlegm in the throat. Symptoms such as nausea and dry heaving may also occur. Treatment under medical guidance may include medications such as Pharyngitis Tablets, Compound Borax Mouthwash, and Jinshang Liyan Pills.

5. Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is often triggered by long-term exposure to smoking, air pollution, or recurrent viral or bacterial infections. Chronic inflammation causes hypertrophy and proliferation of goblet cells and mucous glands in the bronchial mucosa, leading to excessive mucus secretion. During upward expulsion, some of this mucus accumulates in the throat due to its high viscosity and impaired ciliary movement caused by bronchial inflammation, making it difficult to cough out and causing persistent sticky phlegm in the throat. Symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath may also occur. Medications such as Ambroxol Hydrochloride Tablets, Salbutamol Aerosol, and Azithromycin Tablets may be used under medical guidance.

In daily life, it is important to engage in regular exercise, strengthen physical fitness, improve immunity, and reduce the likelihood of respiratory infections. Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing teeth in the morning and evening and rinsing the mouth after meals to prevent bacterial growth.