What causes phlegm and mucus buildup in the throat during a cold?
Jan 19, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Guo Xiheng
Introduction
Common colds often cause phlegm to feel sticky and difficult to expel from the throat, primarily due to thick, viscous mucus. Dehydration in patients can exacerbate mucus viscosity; therefore, adequate hydration—such as drinking moderate amounts of warm water—is recommended. Additionally, patients experiencing sticky phlegm in the throat may benefit from appropriate oral expectorant medications as part of their treatment.
The common cold is a viral infection affecting the upper respiratory tract. Inflammation stimulates the pharynx, leading to increased local secretions that accumulate in the throat—causing the sensation of sticky or viscous phlegm.
Why does phlegm feel sticky in the throat during a cold?
The primary reason for sticky phlegm in the throat during a cold is thick, viscous mucus that is difficult to expel.
Dehydration can exacerbate mucus viscosity. Therefore, patients should increase their fluid intake—drinking moderate amounts of warm water is recommended. For persistent sticky phlegm, expectorant medications may be prescribed, such as ambroxol oral solution, eucalyptus-citrus-pine (Eucalyptus-Citrus-Pine) capsules (Erlinpei), or fudosteine. In more severe cases, nebulized acetylcysteine inhalation or intravenous ambroxol injection may be used to facilitate mucus clearance.
Common cold symptoms typically include nasal congestion, nasal itching, sneezing, and coughing. Treatment options include over-the-counter combination medications such as compound paracetamol and amantadine hydrochloride tablets or compound pseudoephedrine and chlorpheniramine maleate tablets. Pseudoephedrine—a component of these formulations—constricts nasal blood vessels, thereby alleviating nasal congestion and rhinorrhea. Patients with colds should also monitor body temperature closely to detect fever. A temperature ≥37.3°C is clinically defined as fever. During fever and subsequent antipyresis, significant fluid loss occurs via cutaneous evaporation and profuse sweating, potentially resulting in dehydration.
The above explains why phlegm feels sticky in the throat during a cold. We hope this information is helpful to you.
