Why do I clear my throat?

Factual Questions
1

The doctors are all useless, so I thought I may as well try here. :slight_smile:

Throughout the day, I am constantly clearing my throat. It often feels like there is something at the back of my throat, and I feel like I need to clear it before I can breathe comfortably. This has been going on for several years. Not only does it drive me insane, but it annoys the hell out of anyone near me (such as co-workers) who have to put up with the throat clearing noises.

Last year, I visited my GP to ask him about this, and he pretty much had no idea what was causing this. So he referred me to an Ears-Nose-Throat doctor, who took one look down my throat and immediately diagnosed a stomach reflux problem. Apparently this is when stomach acids reach the throat due to some faulty value thing that isn’t doing its job properly and stopping the stomach acids from going where they shouldn’t.

So he prescribed me some medication, and for the first couple of months it seemed like it was helping, and I was clearing my throat a lot less. But gradually the throat clearing came back, the medication wasn’t doing anything, and so I went back to my GP. He sent me off for a bunch of tests, including x-rays that seemed to confirm the stomach reflux problem. Still not convinced, he referred me to a gastroenterologist.

I told Gastro-doctor about my visit to the ENT doctor, and showed him my test results. But despite all this, he said my problem was most likely nothing to do with stomach reflux, and was probably the result of hayfever/allergies (possibly a nasal drip). This to me made sense, since I have experienced hayfever (runny nose, itchy eyes etc) since I was a kid. He told me to up my hayfever medication and take it daily, and see if that helps (previously I would take it whenever I experienced hayfever symptoms, not daily).

Taking this medication daily seemed to help, just like the reflux medication, for the first couple of months. But then the throat clearing came back, which brings me to where I am. All three doctors were pretty much useless.

Any ideas? I have no idea who else to ask. I may go back to Gastro-doctor, as he said there were more tests he could do to determine if it’s definitely stomach reflux, but I’m reluctant to do so as the medication didn’t help and the tests sound extremely unpleasant. Hopefully posting here instead will help. :slight_smile: Sorry about the ultra-long-winded post…

Just

PS I have cleared my throat four times while typing this. :frowning:

2

For me it’s a chronic very low level sinus infection (caused by minor dust and mold allergies). The post nasal drip I’ve had since I was very young (2 or 3).

It’s just something you live with, in my world.

3

As a teenager I remember driving my parents absolutely insane with my throat clearing. I also remember getting “sick” every time around the beginning of the school year. Since neither of my parents have allergies, it never occurred to them (or to me) that it might be allergies.

It wasn’t until many years later that I finally figured out that’s what it was. I remember driving to work one Spring morning, one of the first really nice days outside. I woke up fine, had all the windows in the car open, and within 5 minutes couldn’t breathe. Closed the windows, turned on the AC, and was able to breathe. :smack:

For me, that’s what it was. Over the years it’s actually gotten somewhat better, and it doesn’t seem to bother me nearly as much as it did when I was younger.

I realize this may not help you a whole lot, but for me, it was allergies. Hope you’re able to get some relief soon!

4

My dad clears his throat it seems every 45 seconds for the last 35 years and it makes everyone crazy. I also have this problem (but not that bad) and it’s allergies.

For me, somtimes it’s the air and sometimes it’s food. Sadly, one of those things, are my beloved poptarts.

Sometimes I wonder if it’s stress. I feel like I’m always clearing my throat before going into a stressful situation.

5

Ditto for me. It was allergies in my case also, which still make me miserable every year until I get a steroid shot. Have you thought about seeing an allergist?

6

Thanks to everyone for the replies. :slight_smile:

Yeah, that’s not a bad idea. I saw an allergist years ago before the throat clearing thing started, and I never really thought of them as doing anything other than telling you what you’re allergic to. But I guess it wouldn’t hurt. :slight_smile:

7

My father had the same problem the last couple of years - drove him nuts - and doctors suggested many of the same causes/solutions noted. Nothing worked until he was hospitalized for pnuemonia. Perhaps there is no coorelation but he believes antibiotics cleared up the problem. It’s been about a year and no reoccurence so far.