Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
154 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Phlegm In The Throat Whenever A Person Goes To Sleep?

what causes flem in my throat every time I go to sleep. I wake of choaking on thick opaque mucus. It started like sinus drainage and has become worse over the last few weeks. I am 74 and take no prescription meds. Have just recently had malignant melanoma removed with Mohs and have healed well from that but I wake up because it stops up my throat.
posted on Wed, 5 Apr 2017
Twitter Tue, 18 Apr 2017 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 19 Apr 2017 Last reviewed on
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
I totally understand your concerns about the phlegm in your throat when you go to sleep.
The following reasons should be taken into consideration.
1- Since you had a sinus infection, your sinuses might be draining posteriorly by what we call : post-nasal drip. It is when mucus come from your nose and sinuses and goes backward to your throat. This is very likely to be the reason especially due to the fact that this happens when you lay down, because post-nasal drip will be exacerbated by the gravity effect. The fact that it wakes you up during the night means the mucus is obstructing your upper respiratory tract, decreasing oxygen and hence you wake up. I recommend you to take a saline nasal spray three times daily in each nostril to help draining your sinuses during the day and decrease the post-nasal drip.

2- In addition to post-nasal drip, sometimes there are also reflux that exacerbates the problem, and that also happens when you lay down because acid content of your stomach will reach the throat leading to a bulge sensation in the throat and mucus filling the throat. If you have any additional symptom of reflux i would highly suggest taking a PPI (such as esmoprazole) to help in this problem too.

Best Regards
I find this answer helpful

 1 user finds this helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
People also viewed
What Causes Phlegm In The Throat Whenever A Person Goes To Sleep?

I totally understand your concerns about the phlegm in your throat when you go to sleep. The following reasons should be taken into consideration. 1- Since you had a sinus infection, your sinuses might be draining posteriorly by what we call : post-nasal drip. It is when mucus come from your nose and sinuses and goes backward to your throat. This is very likely to be the reason especially due to the fact that this happens when you lay down, because post-nasal drip will be exacerbated by the gravity effect. The fact that it wakes you up during the night means the mucus is obstructing your upper respiratory tract, decreasing oxygen and hence you wake up. I recommend you to take a saline nasal spray three times daily in each nostril to help draining your sinuses during the day and decrease the post-nasal drip. 2- In addition to post-nasal drip, sometimes there are also reflux that exacerbates the problem, and that also happens when you lay down because acid content of your stomach will reach the throat leading to a bulge sensation in the throat and mucus filling the throat. If you have any additional symptom of reflux i would highly suggest taking a PPI (such as esmoprazole) to help in this problem too. Best Regards